In a heartbreaking yet miraculous story out of Colorado, a 5-year-old girl named Kaycee showed incredible resilience after surviving more than 24 hours alone in a wrecked vehicle beside her deceased parents. Devante Griffin and Klariza Tarango, a loving young couple from New Mexico who were raising two beautiful daughters together, lost their lives in a rollover accident on Highway 160 near Bayfield.

The Upper Pine River Fire Protection District responded to the scene around noon on May 2, 2026, after concerned residents reported seeing the badly damaged pickup truck upside down on the side of the road for several days. Authorities believe the crash may have occurred as early as April 30. When first responders arrived, they tragically found both parents deceased at the scene.

But amid the devastation, a small miracle unfolded. Their 5-year-old daughter Kaycee was found alive inside the vehicle. She had sustained only minor injuries and was not properly restrained at the time of the crash. Colorado State Patrol spokesperson Hunter Matthews later noted how resilient children can be, saying, “You’d be surprised how resilient children are.” Kaycee reportedly began to wake up as emergency crews arrived, and it is believed she had remained in the vehicle with her parents for more than 24 hours.

After being checked at a local hospital, Kaycee was safely placed in the care of her grandfather. The couple is also survived by their other young daughter, Karenza. The crash is still under investigation.

The Upper Pine River Fire Protection District later shared a powerful message on social media emphasizing the importance of proper car seat and booster seat safety. They described the incident as both a tragedy and a miracle for the young child, noting how the discovery weighed heavily on first responders, the family, and the community. The department also announced an upcoming car seat safety class to help prevent similar tragedies.

In the wake of this devastating loss, loved ones have created fundraisers to support the couple’s surviving daughters. Friends and family remember Devante and Klariza as devoted parents who adored each other and their girls. One relative posted, “My nephew and his beautiful other half were taken from us too soon. Please wrap your thoughts and prayers around both immediate family and friends, especially the parents and children.”

This story serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly life can change and how critical it is for every parent to ensure children are properly secured in age-appropriate car seats or booster seats on every single trip — no matter how short the drive may be.

Despite the unimaginable pain this family is enduring, little Kaycee’s survival stands as a beacon of hope and strength. Her quiet resilience in those long, difficult hours has touched the hearts of people across the country. As the family begins the long journey of healing and caring for both daughters, the love and support from their community will be more important than ever.

Our deepest condolences go out to the entire family, friends, and loved ones of Devante Griffin and Klariza Tarango. May Kaycee and her sister Karenza be surrounded by comfort, care, and the enduring memory of their parents’ love. May this precious family find strength in one another during this incredibly difficult time, and may little Kaycee’s story remind us all to hold our loved ones a little closer and drive a little safer every single day.

Sending love, healing, and continued prayers to everyone affected by this tragedy