Funeral services announced for 5 children killed in Bowie crash

Funeral services have been announced for the five children who were killed in a crash on Route 301 in Bowie early Saturday.

The family says the children will be memorialized at First Baptist Church of Glenarden on Saturday, February 16, at Watkins Park Drive in Upper Marlboro. The services will begin at 10 a.m. for a meet and greet and the official service will start at 11 a.m.

Maryland State Police say the crash happened at around 5 a.m. Saturday.

According to investigators, a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica that was carrying the children and two adults was traveling northbound on Rt. 301 when it went off the roadway, struck a tree line and spun into a snow-covered field.

All five children were thrown from the van. None of the children were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, police say.

Police identified the children as:
- London Dixon, 8, of Bowie, Md.
- Paris Dixon, 5, of Bowie, Md.
- Zion Beard, 14, of Washington, D.C.
- Rickelle Ricks, 6, of Washington, D.C.
- Damari Herald, 15, of Washington, D.C.

Two others were also injured in the crash. Police identified them as:
- Dominique Taylor, 32, of Bowie, Md.
- Cornell Simon, 23, of Oxon Hill, Md.

The family says none of the children involved in the crash have insurance. They are trying to raise money to ensure all arrangements are covered for each child.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the family. Click here to contribute.