Tampa Family Survives Crash in Virginia; Thanks Chabad

The call came into Chabad of Williamsburg, Virginia, shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Sunday morning: a Jewish family traveling from Monsey, NY to Tampa, FL had been involved in a serious crash and needed urgent assistance.

The incident unfolded around 9:15 a.m. when the family, residents of Tampa returning from Monsey, lost control of their vehicle, which then crashed and rolled multiple times. Emergency responders rushed the parents to a nearby hospital, while their four-month-old baby was airlifted to VCU Medical Center.

Local news reported, “Three people, including an infant, were seriously injured in a wreck along Interstate 95 in Prince George County Sunday morning.

Troopers were called to the single-vehicle crash at the exit for Route 623 at 9:15 a.m. after an SUV ran off the interstate and overturned, Sgt. Jessica Shehan with Virginia State Police said.”

By 10:00 a.m., the news reached the Tampa community, prompting immediate action. Community members purchased tickets for the only direct flight available, scheduled to land around 5:00 p.m. However, they recognized that this would not be soon enough.

Heshy Neiman, a member of Khal Ahavas Hashem of Tampa and an Askan from Cleveland, Ohio, reached out for help. He contacted Rabbi Mendy Heber of Chabad Williamsburg, VA.

Rabbi Heber swiftly coordinated with Rabbi Yossel Kranz, head Shliach of Virginia, and Rabbi Mendy Weiss, Youth Director at Chabad in Richmond. Rabbi Weiss took immediate action, retrieving the family’s belongings from the wrecked vehicle and heading to the hospital to support the family.

Rebbetzin Nechama Kranz, Rabbi Kranz’s wife, also sprang into action, arranging food delivery and accompanying the mother at the hospital.

“One day we didn’t know anyone in Virginia; the next, we received extraordinary help from the Chabad community,” one Tampa community member said. “They went above and beyond, opening their homes and dropping everything to help strangers.”

Baruch Hashem, the baby, who had been ejected from the vehicle, sustained only minor injuries and was the first to be discharged. The Kranz family continued their support by caring for the infant while the parents received treatment.

The Tampa community of Khal Ahavas Hashem expressed their profound gratitude in a public message, acknowledging the immense support they received from the Chabad community of Virginia.

As of now, both parents have been discharged from the hospital and are staying with Chabad of Virginia while they recuperate and prepare for their return flight to Tampa.

“The Swift networking of the Chabad Shluchim is something extraordinary, within minutes, we were able to have a Shliach driving over to the hospital to give moral support, food, and communication to the friends of the family,” Rabbi Mendy Heber told COLlive. “A true moment of מי כעמך ישראל.”