CHOCTAW, Okla. — A family in Choctaw is mourning the loss of a 25-year-old mother after a devastating single-vehicle crash left her six young children without their mother. Family members identified the woman as Kaitie Tabor of Choctaw, according to local reports.
The crash happened Thursday, Sept. 3, near Northeast 23rd Street and North McDonald Road in Choctaw, according to authorities and local media reports.
Tabor was driving the vehicle when the crash occurred. Her six children, all 7 years old or younger, were also inside. While Tabor died as a result of the crash, her children survived.
The children were taken to a hospital following the incident, and police said they were in stable condition. The sudden loss has left Tabor’s family facing both grief and the difficult task of helping her children understand what happened to their mother.
Family Remembers Tabor as a Devoted Mom
Tabor’s sisters described her as someone who consistently put others before herself. Her sister Kristen Tabor told KOCO that she is struggling with the loss while trying to remain strong for the family.
“Even though I look like I’m not hurting, it’s killing me. But I have to be strong,” Kristen said.
She remembered her sister as someone who was always willing to help others, regardless of what she herself was facing.
“She was always there for everyone. It didn’t matter what they were going through or what she was going through. She’ll give the shirt she has on her back for everyone,” Kristen said.
Tabor’s mother, Alicia Tabor, also remembered her daughter as a fiercely protective parent who devoted much of her life to her children.
“She was always watching, always loving, always protecting,” Alicia told.
She said Tabor loved attending her children’s school activities and taking them to places such as parks, arcades and zoos.
“She’s got four boys and two little girls,” Alicia said. “Her youngest looks like her. She never pictured her life any differently; she loved showing them off, she was always with them.”
Children Struggling With Sudden Loss
The tragedy has been especially difficult because Tabor’s children are all very young. Her sister Kayla Pair told that she received a call about the crash on the night it happened. Pair said the children have not yet fully understood that their mother is gone.
“They really aren’t understanding quite yet what happened,” Pair said.
She recalled one particularly heartbreaking moment involving Tabor’s daughter Elena.
“Her daughter Elena was asking ‘Where’s mommy?’ And she wants mommy,” Pair said.
Pair added that Tabor had made a huge impact on her children and loved them deeply. The family is now focused on caring for the children and helping them through the aftermath of the tragedy.
Family Hopes Children Can Be Reunited With Relatives
Five of Tabor’s children are currently in state custody, while relatives are hoping they can eventually be reunited with family members. Pair said she filed for temporary emergency guardianship of Tabor’s 4-month-old daughter, Aurora, and was approved.
In a GoFundMe campaign, Pair described the emotional toll of losing her younger sister while also trying to care for her nieces and nephews.
“I’m deeply saddened and heartbroken, not only for the loss of my little sister, who I spent 25 years with, but for all of my nieces and nephews who are hurt, sad, and confused about where their momma is,” Pair wrote.
Pair also described what happened to baby Aurora during the crash, saying the infant was thrown from the vehicle but did not suffer a scratch.
She said she intends to protect and care for Aurora while honoring her sister’s memory.
Crash Investigation Remains Ongoing
The Choctaw Police Department confirmed that the crash remains under investigation.
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the vehicle to crash, and officials have not released additional details explaining what happened immediately before the single-vehicle collision.
For Tabor’s family, however, the investigation is unfolding alongside a much more personal struggle — trying to move forward after losing a young mother whose six children are now growing up without her.
Alicia said the loss still does not feel real.
“It still doesn’t feel real because she’s only 25 years old,” she told.
She said she continues to call and message her daughter, a painful reminder of how suddenly her life changed.
What do you think about this heartbreaking tragedy? Share your thoughts and condolences for Kaitie Tabor’s family in the comments.
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