Tragedy struck in Riggins, Idaho this week when a 17-year-old girl reportedly fell asleep behind the wheel, driving the car with her father and two young siblings off a 30-foot cliff into the Salmon River where authorities believe they drowned.

(Video Credit: KTVB)

Dakota Miller, 17, was driving with her father Calvin Miller, 36, in the car as well as her brother Jack, 10, and sister Delilah, 8, when the vehicle went off the cliff and into the river according to police. They were on their way to visit their grandfather in hospice care on Saturday.

Police stated on Wednesday that Dakota most likely fell asleep while driving on the curvy road due to fatigue following the family’s 274-mile trip from their home in Spokane, Washington, to Council, Idaho.

“Dakota drove off the highway, striking a large pile of rocks, sending the vehicle airborne,” the incident report recounted. “The vehicle struck another large pile of rocks, flipping the vehicle over end and landing upside down in the Salmon River.”

Authorities believe a window broke letting water in. The family could not get out and drowned. The vehicle was found partially submerged by a local fisherman who called 911, according to the New York Post.

(Video Credit: KREM 2 News)

Miller’s ex-wife, Zella Blair, who was also the mother of Jack and Delilah, was devastated and shattered by the incident.

“I don’t know if I can get used to them not coming through the door after school and yelling for me again,” Blair, who was sharing custody of the children with Miller, told KREM2 in an interview. “They were huge. They were my whole life.”

“I’m just gonna miss so much, just being able to just go give them a hug and go give them a kiss and talk to them about their day,” she tearfully said. “And just little conversations because it just, it just made my heart full. You know, just to hear all the little things they were learning and everything they were becoming, you know, day by day.”

Blair had dropped off Jack and Delilah on Friday so they could spend the weekend with their dad. She didn’t know he was taking them to visit their grandfather.

Miller’s current significant other, Amberlynn Weber, broke the news to Blair. Her fiancé Taylor Schaefer-Bishop is attempting to help the shocked mother cope with the loss.

“I just dropped to my knees… I just started crying,” Blair said. “I just couldn’t believe it.”

“I feel really bad for Amber, though, because she did lose all four people of her household,” the heartbroken mother commented. “Even though they weren’t her blood kids, she was always really great to them.”

Scott Henri, who is Amberlynn’s stepfather, said his family was torn apart over the tragedy. He described Miller and his children as a wonderful addition to their family.

“Words cannot express how devastating this loss is to our family. Calvin was a truly exceptional human being and we’re lucky to have had the time with him that we did. His kind heart and sensitive soul, not to mention his amazing sense of humor, brought a richness to our lives that can’t be replaced. He’d found his soul mate in Amberlynn, he fiercely loved her and all of his children & family,” he said in a statement.

Two families, originally bonded together by the love they shared for their children, are now bonded in shared trauma and pain.

Saturday, Calvin Miller and his three children, Dakota (17), Jack (10) and Delilah (8) were found dead in their overturned car near Riggins, ID. @KREM2 pic.twitter.com/ncvXDTx8BG

— Janelle Finch // MMJanelle (@JFinchTV) June 14, 2023

“Dakota, Calvin’s oldest, just turned 17 and was still deciding how she wanted to tackle the world after high school. She had amazing friends that brought her so much joy. We were looking forward to seeing the heights she’d reach in life, with her generous and caring heart,” Henri continued.

“Jack just turned 10 and was so proud to be in the double digits. He was so smart, loved to read, could figure anything out, and was going to make waves in the world,” he sadly noted. “Our sweet Delilah, Calvin’s younger daughter, would have been 9 in August. She was so creative, loved to draw and color, and was talented! Funny and sweet, always making sure everyone was taken care of, corn will always be pronounced ‘coin’ in her honor.”

“Our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for the love and support all have shown us,” the grieving family member concluded, according to KREM2.

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