ATLANTA, USA — Tragedy struck on Halloween night when Taraja Ramsess, a Hollywood stuntman renowned for his roles in blockbuster films such as “Black Panther” and “The Avengers,” and two of his children were killed in a catastrophic car crash on an Atlanta, Georgia highway.
Ramsess, who had an impressive 94 credits in TV and film productions, including “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” was driving home after a night of trick-or-treating with his children when their vehicle collided with a stationary tractor-trailer on the Interstate 20 in DeKalb County.
Ramsess, his 13-year-old daughter Sundari, affectionately known as Sunny, and 1-month-old daughter Fugibo were pronounced dead at the scene.
In the devastating aftermath, Ramsess’s 10-year-old son Kisasi, who had been ejected from the vehicle, succumbed to his injuries in intensive care days later.
His two other children, three-year-old Shazi and 15-year-old Kali, were hospitalised with conditions reported as stable.
Akili Ramsess, Taraja’s mother, shared a heartfelt Instagram post commemorating her son and granddaughter.
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“All who knew and met him know how special Taraja was,” she wrote. “He had a deep capacity for love and loved his children more than all.”
“He loved his martial arts, motorcycles, and all things related to filmmaking. He had a very droll yet wicked sense of humor and yet could be as cornball corny as can be,” she continued, reflecting on her son’s vibrant life and passions.
The shock and sorrow of the incident have resonated far beyond the family. A GoFundMe campaign, organised by Andrea Lawson, the sister of Ramsess’ partner, has been established to support the bereaved family, raising over $51,000.
“The most unimaginable tragedy a family can experience,” Lawson described.
Lawson’s poignant message outlined the wide-reaching impact of the loss.
“On Halloween night my dear sister Lisa Wilson lost her six-week-old baby Fujibo, her partner Taraja Ramsess, and her 13-year-old step-daughter Sundari in a horrific car accident after a night of trick-or-treating.”
The funds will aid in covering funeral expenses and the ongoing needs of the surviving children, who face medical care, counseling, and other unforeseen costs due to the accident.
The family’s plight is exacerbated by the strike in the film industry, which has left them without income for much of the year.
The heartache felt by the community is evident in the comments left by donors. “There are no words,” one donor expressed. “My heart goes out to all of you.”
