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1 of 2 kids who survived fatal crash released from hospital

FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. — One of the two children who survived a crash Wednesday morning in Fayette County that took the lives of a Connellsville woman and her 7-year-old daughter was released from the hospital Thursday night.

Police said 26-year-old Angela Thomas was driving with her three children in the car on Englishman Hill Road just after 8 a.m. when she crossed the center line and collided with the truck head-on.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said that Thomas’ 7-year-old daughter, Miah Worley, died from injuries sustained in the crash just before 12:30 p.m. at Children’s Hospital.

Officials said 5-year-old Sidney Worley and 2-year-old Zylan were also injured in the crash. Zylan was released Thursday night, but Sidney remains hospitalized.

Family members said they are thankful for the community’s support and are asking for continuing prayers and help with funeral costs.

Elda Worley said her great-nephew and -niece still don’t know their mother and sister were killed.

“They need to get little Sydney prepared. She may not even be out for the funeral. I don’t know what God has in store,” Worley said.

Worley said in addition to family and friends, strangers have been showing their support.

“It means there is somebody out there who does care. It’s wonderful that people really actually care,” Worley said. “A stranger just looked at me and put her hands up like she was praying. That’s wonderful.”

Worley said Zylan was playing in the hospital, enjoyed taking rides around the building and seemed to be in good spirits. She said he doesn’t quite understand what happened.

“As soon as the baby woke up, he wanted his mommy. I just lost it. I had to go in the bathroom for a minute,” Worley said.

She also said doctors told the family that Sidney’s vital signs are good, but she’s still in the ICU.

“She's listening to what the doctors tell her to do -- thumbs up, wiggle her toes. She told me to sign her cast and I did, and I put me and Miah and Zylan and mommy,” said Patricia Jeffers, Thomas’ mother.

“(Sidney) squeezed my fingers and my girlfriend touched her legs and she moved them apart because she’s very ticklish. I didn’t get to see her eyes open or anything yet, but we’re hoping for the best,” Worley said.

The three children were all properly restrained, investigators said.

The Fayette County Coroner's Office said Thomas died of blunt-force trauma.

Thomas, who worked at the Connellsville McDonald’s, was taking her children to school in the nearby Southmoreland School District, according to police.

Miah was in first grade at Southmoreland Primary and Sidney is in kindergarten, Channel 11’s Jennifer Tomazic reported. Tomazic said family friends told her both girls started in the district this year.

Southmoreland School District officials said grief counselors are being made available to students on Thursday.

McDonald’s released the following statement regarding Thomas’ death: “We are deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred this morning.  On behalf of McDonald's, we want to express our deepest sympathy to the family of Angela Thomas. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this very difficult time.”

The driver of the truck was not injured.

It is unclear why Thomas' vehicle crossed into the pathway of the truck. The crash remains under investigation.

The family has set up a fund to help pay for the funerals of Angela Thomas and Miah Worley:

Burhans-Crouse Funeral Home

28 Connellsville St  Dunbar, Pa. 15431

724-277-8514

Friends will be received at Burhans-Crouse Funeral Home in Connellsville from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Sunday.

The funeral is scheduled for Monday.