Fort Worth Mourns the Heartbreaking Loss of Beloved Young Woman Totiana Samuels
Fort Worth, Texas — Victim: Totiana Samuels
The city of Fort Worth, Texas, is enveloped in grief following the tragic passing of 22-year-old Totiana Samuels, whose life was cut short after a devastating head-on collision on Interstate 30, near downtown Fort Worth, on Sunday evening. Despite valiant medical efforts, Totiana passed away Tuesday afternoon from injuries sustained in the crash, leaving her family, friends, and the broader community heartbroken and in disbelief.
According to the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD), the accident occurred around 9:45 p.m. Sunday in the eastbound lanes of I-30, near the Henderson Street exit, just minutes from downtown. Preliminary investigations indicate that a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction collided head-on with the car driven by Totiana Samuels. The force of the impact caused both vehicles to spin out of control, resulting in severe damage.
Emergency responders, including the Fort Worth Fire Department and MedStar EMS, arrived within minutes of the crash. Totiana was found critically injured but alive and was immediately transported to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, where she underwent multiple surgeries. Despite the tireless efforts of doctors and nurses, she succumbed to her injuries two days later, surrounded by family and loved ones.
Police officials have not yet released the name of the other driver involved but confirmed that the individual was also transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Investigators believe that alcohol or impairment may have been a contributing factor, though toxicology reports are pending. The Traffic Division of the FWPD continues to investigate the collision, reviewing highway camera footage and witness statements to determine the exact circumstances leading to the tragedy.
For those who knew her, Totiana Samuels was a beacon of positivity — a young woman full of energy, ambition, and love. Friends describe her as a “bright light” whose laughter and smile could fill a room. A Fort Worth native, Totiana graduated from Western Hills High School in 2021 and had recently been attending Tarrant County College, where she studied early childhood education. She dreamed of becoming a preschool teacher, a role she felt called to because of her natural warmth and ability to connect with children.
“Totiana had this ability to make anyone feel loved and seen,” said her cousin Alyssa Brown, through tears. “She was the kind of person who always showed up — for birthdays, for rough days, for anything. She was love in human form.”
Her parents, Michael and Denise Samuels, released a heartfelt statement expressing their devastation and gratitude for the outpouring of community support:
“Our hearts are shattered. Totiana was our sunshine — smart, funny, and full of dreams. We’re thankful for every prayer and message we’ve received. We ask for privacy as we navigate this unimaginable loss.”
Totiana’s close circle of friends gathered Tuesday night at Trinity Park for a candlelight vigil, sharing stories, songs, and prayers in her honor. Dozens of candles illuminated the night as loved ones released purple balloons — her favorite color — into the sky.
“She loved sunsets,” said her best friend Jasmine Lee. “She’d always say, ‘Even when the sun goes down, it comes back brighter.’ I think that’s how we’ll remember her — as our sun that will always rise again in our hearts.”
In addition to her parents, Totiana leaves behind two younger brothers, Marcus and Jaylen, whom she adored and often referred to as her “little heroes.” Family members described her as a second mother to them — guiding, supporting, and cheering them on in every way possible.
Her unexpected passing has deeply shaken the Fort Worth community, with residents and local organizations rallying around the Samuels family. A GoFundMe has been established to help cover funeral expenses and medical costs, and hundreds of community members have already contributed, sharing heartfelt tributes and words of comfort online.
Mayor Mattie Parker also expressed condolences, saying,
“This tragedy has touched all of Fort Worth. We send our deepest sympathies to the Samuels family and hope they find strength in the love and unity of our community.”
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Baker Funeral Home, with services expected to take place this coming weekend. The family plans to hold both a public visitation and a celebration of life to honor Totiana’s memory — a young woman whose kindness, light, and love left a mark on everyone who crossed her path.
Though her life was far too short, Totiana Samuels’s legacy will endure through the countless lives she touched — through laughter shared, hearts lifted, and dreams inspired. Her memory remains a reminder to cherish every moment, to love without limits, and to live brightly, just as she did every single day.
Tags: #TotianaSamuels #FortWorthTX #CommunityMourns #ForeverInOurHearts #GoneTooSoon #InLovingMemory
