ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Michelle Yaeger and her two daughters, Natalie and Kenzie Brooks, were killed in a crash on Interstate 270 near Interstate 55 on Friday morning.
According to Cpl. Dallas Thompson with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the deadly crash occurred in the northbound lanes of I-270 and blocked all lanes near the ramps to I-55.
Thompson said the driver of the truck pulled over because he thought his load was coming loose. As soon as he pulled over to the side of the road, a 1998 FMC Yukon struck his truck from behind after it traveled off the left side of the ramp, an MSHP report said.
The driver of the truck got out and helped to remove one of the children from the vehicle after the SUV caught fire, Thompson said. He was unable to get the woman and other child out.
Thompson said the woman and 7-year-old were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. A 10-year-old was rushed to the hospital but died from her injuries a short time later.
The woman was identified as 45-year-old Michelle Yaeger, according to an MSHP report.
As of Saturday, a family member told 5 On Your Side it was 10-year-old Natalie and 7-year-old Kenzi Brooks who died in the crash.
As of 4 p.m., all lanes had reopened.
The Hancock Place School District confirmed in a letter to families that the girls were students at Hancock Place Elementary School. The last day of school for students was Thursday, which means Natalie and Kenzi were killed on their first day of summer break.
Yaeger posted on Facebook before she passed that Natalie had also just turned 10 on Monday, May 20.
A balloon release was held for mother and daughters on Saturday afternoon at 6:00 pm in Lemay Park. About 100 family members like the girls' father Kenneth Brooks and their older brother Devon Brooks were there surrounded by friends, co-workers and grieving community members together to remember.
"We are saddened by the loss to our school community and will make every effort to support students, staff, parents and others impacted by this tragedy," said Dr. Brandy Yarbrough, the Hancock Place district's director of counseling and community outreach.
The district said crisis counselors would be available at the Hancock Place Elementary School beginning next Tuesday for those who need help processing the tragedy.