ARLINGTON, Texas — For the longest time, Tanganika White prayed for a daughter. “I have three boys,” she said. “I thought I would never have a daughter.”
That prayer was finally answered three years ago when her daughter Endiyah was born.
“I spoke that girl into existence,” said White.
Her daughter was her best friend. She described her as a spunky and loving child without a hateful bone in her body. “She loved everybody, and she was not afraid to tell you, "said White.
On Sept. 12 just before 11:30 a.m., Arlington Police say the three-year-old was rushed to the hospital after the driver had a medical emergency behind the wheel.
Police said the driver drifted to the side of the roadway and collided with two metal bollards and a streetlight. Police are investigating whether she was properly restrained in a child safety seat.
White said the driver was Endiyah’s father. She said her daughter’s father and his mother picked her up from school.
“My daughter was not properly strapped into the car,” said White.
Endiyah was rushed to the hospital. White said she suffered several fractures to her skull and needed stitches.
Days later she said her daughter kept feeling a pain in her stomach. She said as they were in the hospital, her daughter had a seizure. Shortly after, doctors declared her brain dead.
“I held my baby as they removed her life support, her heartbeat three times and stopped.”
White said this accident was preventable. She wants other parents to understand how quickly things can happen.
“I hope this is an eye-opener to a lot of people,” she said. “I don’t ever want a mother, or a parent in general, a caregiver, guardian to experience this loss,” said White.