St. Lucie County siblings killed in crash 'would not have been able to live without the other'
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Samuel Robinson, his sister and mother were returning from the Indian River Mall in Vero Beach where they were getting things for Samuel’s eighth grade graduation and dance, a family member said.
But 15-year-old Samuel would not get to attend the events from Creative Arts Academy of St. Lucie, as he and his sister, Sylvia Robinson, 34, died after a May 23 traffic crash at Johnston and Indrio roads in northern St. Lucie County. Their 66-year-old mother was hospitalized in the 7:17 p.m. incident.
The Robinsons’ niece, Autum Wilson, 26, spoke about them in a recent interview.
“My grandma has never driven so it was always my aunt (Sylvia Robinson), giving her rides to wherever she needs to go,” Wilson said. “And just taking care of whatever her and Samuel needed.”
What happened: Two killed, including 15-year-old boy, in traffic crash in northern St. Lucie County
What to do when you see the flashing lights: Port St. Lucie police roll out Officer Steve Brown Model Traffic Stop Program to teens
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the three were in a southbound vehicle on Johnston Road and were turning left to go east on Indrio Road. They approached a green left-turn arrow.
Meanwhile, a sedan westbound on Indrio Road approached a red signal. A 33-year-old Port St. Lucie woman drove that vehicle, and didn’t stop for the red signal as the other vehicle turned left. The crash happened in the intersection.
“She was a beautiful person. Very helpful, very supportive of all of her friends, all of her loved ones,” Wilson said of Sylvia Robinson. “She always showed up. It didn't matter how far it was that you asked her to come, she was coming.”
Wilson last talked with Sylvia Robinson the day before the crash. They spoke about what Samuel, known as “Tra,” was going to wear for his graduation and the school dance and about his hair.
'Sounded like a loud collision or gunshot': Driver charged in hit-and-run crash in PSL thought she hit something falling from tree, records show
Wilson braids hair and he wanted her to do a “test run” to see how it would look.
“This was going to be the first time in a long time that he got his hair braided,” Wilson said.
She said Sylvia Robinson was born in Fort Pierce and was passionate about playing basketball, which she did in middle and high schools and for Indian River State College until she got an associate degree.
“She just really took care of my grandma, and Samuel, because he was the baby of the family,” Wilson said.
Wilson said Samuel also enjoyed basketball, and was working toward trying out for the team when he got into high school. He was an avid gamer, and enjoyed games including Roblox and Fortnite.
'He thought it was a prank': Martin County High School student in 'Scream' costume disciplined after 'joke'
“He lived for games,” Wilson said. “So if he wasn't playing a game, then he was playing basketball.”
She said they lived off Juanita Avenue east of North 25th Street.
Friday and Saturday nights were spent gathering on their mother’s porch with family.
Wilson said Sylvia Robinson and Samuel wanted for nothing, and that Sylvia Robinson loved her dogs, Ace and Bop.
Wilson said her grandmother is alert and doing the best she can. She is ready to get out of the hospital.
Wilson said Samuel was quiet and soft-spoken, but recently grew more sure of himself.
“He was just coming into that confidence that a young boy gets,” Wilson said. “He was coming to form.”
Sylvia Robinson and Samuel were inseparable, Wilson said.
“The whole family, we really do believe that one would not have been able to live without the other,” Wilson said.
FHP is still investigating the crash.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com
If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest breaking news and crime coverage.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida siblings who died in red light runner crash were 'inseparable'
