5-year-old critically injured in wreck that killed mom, 2-year-old brother making progress

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. — A Georgia girl fighting for her life after a major accident killed three members of her family in Virginia is showing signs of improvement.

Luna Zuniga, 5, was riding with her mother and siblings in a passenger van on I-81 in Wythe County earlier this month when the van slammed into the back of a stopped tractor-trailer. The family is from Tunnel Hill in Whitfield County.

Zuniga had a traumatic brain injury and was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Zuniga’s mother, 25-year-old Brittany Puckett, and her 2-year-old brother Matthew were killed. Her 18-year-old aunt and 7-year-old sister were also injured.

Puckett’s stepbrother-in-law, Mark Williams, also died at the scene. Puckett’s stepsister, Christina Williams, who was driving the van at the time of the crash, was also seriously injured.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Reports: UGA suspends assistant basketball coach for incident during Wednesday night loss
• Iconic Southwest Atlanta restaurant adds James Beard award to long list of accomplishments
• Coronavirus: Queen Elizabeth tests positive for COVID-19

Family members said doctors and nurses initially told them that Zuniga wouldn’t survive. Since then, she’s had two major brain surgeries, according to a GoFundMe account set up to help the family.

On Saturday, organizers posted that Zuniga opened her eyes and that doctors said some of the swelling is going down.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

“She’s definitely a fighter and has so many praying she makes it through,” GoFundMe organizers said. “Please continue to keep her in your prayers.”

The community has raised more than $3,500 to help with medical expenses and to bring the ones killed home for burial.

3 members of Georgia family killed, 5-year-old fighting for her life after Virginia crash

©2022 Cox Media Group