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Injured Boys Home After Fleeing Car Hits Theirs, Kills Mom

Photo from the Robinson family

Martha McCall, second from left, and other family members surround Obadiah Robinson, 11, when he was released from All Children’s Hospital on Tuesday morning.

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 15, 2008

TAMPA - Two boys hurt in a Pinellas Park car crash that took the life of their mother last week returned home Tuesday to relatives in South Carolina.

Eric Robinson, 13, and Obadiah Robinson, 11, were released Tuesday morning from All Children's Hospital, a hospital spokesman said. David Robinson, the boys' uncle, said he and other relatives picked up the boys for the trip back to Florence, S.C.

"We're just excited about getting them home this soon," Robinson said.

Both boys suffered broken legs and arms when the Ford Taurus they were riding in was struck Thursday night by a Monte Carlo driven by Devonta T. Merriex, Pinellas Park police said.

Rashane Deangelo Barber and Merriex were fleeing detectives, who had set up an undercover drug deal, police said. The Monte Carlo ran a red light and T-boned the Taurus driven by Nachenga Robinson, 32.

She died at the scene of the crash at U.S. 19 and 70th Avenue. Her youngest son, I'on, 8, was treated and released from Bayfront Medical Center over the weekend.

Caroline Johnson, 51, the fiance of Nachenga Robinson's father, remains in critical condition at Bayfront.

Martha McCall, the boys' aunt, said Tuesday night that tears of joy mingled with tears of sadness when Eric and Obadiah returned to the home of their grandmother, Fannie Singletary. More than 60 family members and friends were at the house to welcome Eric and Obadiah home.

"It's bittersweet," McCall said.

Nachenga Robinson raised the boys on her own and became a welder to support her family, McCall said. She and her father, James Robinson, were in the Tampa Bay area because they found a temporary job working for a construction company at a Bartow power plant.

Nachenga Robinson had planned to marry her fiancé, Levy Robinson, in March.

"Now I've got to trade in my bridesmaid dress for a funeral dress," McCall said. "Instead of a wedding, we're having a funeral."

Services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at Faith Kingdom Builders Ministries in Florence.

McCall, 35, said that her nephews tell her everyday how much they miss their mother.

"Their mother was their everything," McCall said.

Eric asked her today what he should do next, she said.

"I told him, 'You're going to be a good boy,' " McCall said. "'You're going to college. You're going to become a doctor or a lawyer or an architect. You're going to make your mother and family proud.' "

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