Tate Grad, His Wife And 17-Year Old Daughter Killed In Fiery I-75 Pileup

February 2, 2012

A Tate High graduate, his 17-year old daughter and his wife were the final three victims found in the horrific I-75 pileup in a Gainesville wreck.

The bodies of Michael Hughes, his daughter Sabryna Dawn Louise Hughes and Sabryna’s stepmother Lori Hughes were found Tuesday evening in a badly burned pickup truck. The truck was incinerated Sunday night when it collided with a semi-truck that had stopped on I-75 due to fog and smoke conditions.  In all, 11 people died in the crash.

The Hughes family was reportedly in the Gainesville area to attend a funeral.

Friends said Michael Hughes grew up in the Jacks Branch Road area and was a 1990 graduate of Tate High School.

Sabryna Hughes began her high school career at Pine Forest High School and transferred in the 11th grade to Escambia High School. She then became a home school student about two weeks ago. A candlelight vigil will be held for Sabryna beginning at 5:30 Friday at Avondale Park in the Bellview community.

The Florida Highway Patrol had closed I-75 Sunday due to reduced visibility from a mix of smoke from a nearby brush fire and fog. The six-lane road was closed about three hours before being reopened by the Florida Highway Patrol. A short time later, the first crash occurred.

Before it was over, authorities said at least a dozen cars, a half dozen semis and a motorhome had collided.

Comments

20 Responses to “Tate Grad, His Wife And 17-Year Old Daughter Killed In Fiery I-75 Pileup”

  1. Brittany Campbell on December 17th, 2012 8:15 am

    It seems like forever since i talked to you on the phone, seen your beautiful face and went places with you and your family. I remember the days we hung out at my place then yours.. The days i did not want to go home and i wanted to spend weeks with you at your house with you and your loving family..I was accepted into your heart and your alwways accepted into mine. My days with you shall live on forever and ever..DEATH WILL NOT DO US APART!!! I love u with all my heart..I always think bout you everytime. I have pics of you on my door from the day we went to the movies and took silly pics lol. You will not be forgotten by me or anyone else. You always have a home in my heart….I know you are living in paradise right now, smiling down on all your lovedd ones, family, me and everyone that was lucky to be in your life. I thank god for letting me meet you in the way that i did…… Listen Hun! We graduate in 2013 like i promised:) And You will be right there in my heart when we do. So are you Ready to Graduate babygirl:)?

  2. Brittany Campbell on December 17th, 2012 8:06 am

    Sabryna you are my best friend, my angel. We went camping together and i lived with you and your family for weeks:) I miss seeing your face and hearing your laughs, I also miss your warm loving hugs. Seeing you at the church when i went with you let me know that you were a child of god. Who would want to live in this world without you? I hope noone. You are the sweetest, kindest, and loving person. All the GOOD things describe “YOU”. I am so happy that i met you and that we will never end. You are my everything, and everything is you. I love you babygirl….Flyhigh

  3. Deandre Sealey on July 1st, 2012 12:59 pm

    i miss you sabryna

  4. David Gilley on February 8th, 2012 11:13 am

    As the grandfather this is a great loss to us the family and friends.
    Sabryna was the only child Michael had from birth and he truly loved her.
    We pray for our granddaughter and her Father Michael and family.
    Daddy is watching over his only daughter now in heaven as he did on earth.
    God is watching over them both and says to us….rejoice and let there be no sorrow for I am with you.

    God Bless them both.

  5. matthew gilley on February 4th, 2012 8:15 am

    Thank u all for the kind comments for our family. My niece sabryna dawn Louise Hughes Gilley…u Will be missd by many.

  6. Roll Tide on February 3rd, 2012 1:17 pm

    Such a tragedy and the loss of a beautiful family. Thoughts and prayers go out to all the friends and families of those who lost a loved one. God is on your side. Lean on Him and He will provide the strength you will need to get through this tragic event.

  7. Kim Blackman on February 3rd, 2012 9:09 am

    My mother was Michael and Larry’s babysitter. She was just sharing precious memories of holding him in a quilt and letting him watch it snow. ( A rare and special moment for a child in Florida.) You never know! Our prayers are with the family.

  8. Lonnie Wilson on February 3rd, 2012 8:49 am

    We will be praying for you all, he was a fine fellow and will be missed. Farther along we will understand it, but right now just love on these families that are close to us.

  9. SAMANTHA NOWLING on February 2nd, 2012 9:55 pm

    Celeste,,,Im so sorry for you and your family lost ,,,you are in my thoughts and prayers

  10. scott on February 2nd, 2012 6:47 pm

    There are no words to express the gut wrenching pain this family is experiencing. We lost our boy and I just want to say. God Bless each and every one of you. There will be peace for all of us one day. My heart hurts for those left behind. Be strong

  11. nene on February 2nd, 2012 2:38 pm

    May God give this family comfort in the time of such a loss.

  12. tori anderson on February 2nd, 2012 12:39 pm

    aunt debbie, larry and kimberly~

    words cannot begin to express my sadness but, i hope that you can feel my heart breaking along with yours.

    with love…

  13. Shawn Rudd on February 2nd, 2012 9:40 am

    This is so sad to wake up and read. I went to school with Michael and Kim Hughes from kindergarten to middle school.

    No words can ease the pain I’m sure. My heart and prayers go out to the family over this tragedy.

  14. Kim on February 2nd, 2012 8:24 am

    This is so sad. I grew up with Michael, Kim and Larry. My thoughts are with the family. So sorry for your tragic loss.

  15. Todd Bowers Aggie87 on February 2nd, 2012 7:56 am

    My prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. It is a gloom reminder that your time on earth is short and precious. To lose so many in a family at one time seems beyond comprehension..Lean on GOD..This is truly a sad day!

  16. Cee-Jay on February 2nd, 2012 7:55 am

    R.I.P. my friend!!!!!!

  17. Amy Findley Olson on February 2nd, 2012 7:11 am

    My prayers are with this precious family. I grew up with them and remember Micheal well. Only God can comfort their loved ones. I pray that there will be piece and that in some way God will be glorified in the midst of this tragedy.

  18. kevin on February 2nd, 2012 6:53 am

    this is horrible my heart goes out to them all

  19. David Huie Green on February 2nd, 2012 5:17 am

    bad when it happens, feels even worse when it’s somebody close to home

  20. T on February 2nd, 2012 12:55 am

    this is so sad :( to loose a high school mate and his family all at one time.R.I.P Mike Hughes and Family :’(…