The road to recovery for Misty Hayner's young nieces will require both physical and emotionally healing.
The two sisters, who Hayner says are 11 and almost 14, sat in the backseat of a car Tuesday night as it traveled along Blue Mound Road in Fort Worth. Their mother and father were in the front seats.
Police say a driver, trying to pass a car in front of him, crossed into opposite lanes of traffic and ultimately crashed head-on into the family's car.
In an instant, the girls lost both their parents.
"The girls are not aware just yet. We're waiting for them, health-wise, to be able to be in a position to handle the news and then we will disclose what's happening," Hayner told NBC5 on Thursday.
The girls' parents, 34-year-old Crystal Haskins of Justin and 38-year-old Moreio Skinner, were identified by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office. The other driver, who also died on the scene, has been identified as 29-year-old Todd Thomas of Fort Worth.
"She loved her girls with all her heart. They were her world," Hayner said of her younger sister Crystal. "So did their dad. Their dad loved them, very much."
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The girls are currently being treated at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth. Hayner says they are expected to make a fully recovery, but it could take several weeks.
"Broken ribs, broken pelvic bones, laceration to their liver," she said. "One of them has started to become conscious. The other one – we're getting to that point."
Officer Ivan Gomez with the Fort Worth Police Department says the driver's attempted pass was not illegal on that part of Blue Mound Road.
"Unfortunately, this car that was traveling northbound was unable to safely switch lanes," Officer Gomez said.
In this case, it's ended in a tragedy their families now have to live with.
"Be patient with people," Hayner said. "There's no reason, no reason. Just be patient."
A GoFundMe account has been set for the family.
