A routine moment turned into a tragedy for an Arkansas family when a sudden turn in the weather changed their lives forever.
A devastating loss has struck a family in Little Rock, Arkansas, after severe weather led to the tragic death of five-year-old Mario. The incident happened on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Pike Mobile Home Park on Mabelvale Pike.
Mario’s mother, Cassandra Pacheco, recounted the day, describing how it began like any other stormy day. “It was raining — not as hard,” she said. “But it was raining to where the power did go off.”
With the power out, Cassandra moved her children to the back bedroom for safety. “My five-year-old was at the end of my bed,” she recalled. “Jumping around, playing like usual. The minute I saw he was going to get on the bed, I reached for him, and then everything went black.”
A tree fell through the back of the mobile home, causing catastrophic damage. Cassandra’s legs were trapped, but she later managed to escape, though she said she doesn’t remember exactly how.
Unfortunately, Mario did not survive. “After trying to search for him and calling everybody,” she added, “I came to the conclusion that he was under the tree.”
The devastated mother, who has three other children aged ten, eight, and seven, said the loss has been overwhelming. “It’s a piece of you that’s gone,” she shared. “A piece of you that you never want to lose, that no parent wants to lose. That was my last baby.”
The tragedy has been especially difficult for Cassandra’s oldest child, who was in the room when the tree fell. Her other children had not yet made it to the room at the time.
Cassandra reflected on Mario’s personality, remembering his bright spirit. “He loved meeting new people, wherever we would go,” she revealed. “He would say, ‘Hi, what’s your name?’ He was a very outspoken kid. He never, not once, did not put a smile on anyone’s face that he met.”
As cleanup crews continue working to remove fallen trees and restore power to the area, Cassandra and her children are temporarily staying in another building on the same property. She shared a message with others, urging them to value their time with loved ones.
“Don’t take life for granted,” she expressed. “Take every moment you can to be with your kids. Take whatever trips you need to take to make memories. Let go of the past drama and just enjoy life with your kids and family because you never know what will happen.”
In the aftermath of the tragedy, members of Cassandra’s extended family have stepped in to offer support. A GoFundMe campaign was organized by her cousin, Areana Diaz, to help cover burial expenses and assist the grief-stricken mother in rebuilding her life.
According to the fundraiser page, “[Cassandra] and her 3 other boys have lost everything so anything you can donate will be incredibly appreciated.” As of April 11, the campaign has raised $29,877 out of a $35,000 goal from 670 donations.
Cassandra also noted that scammers attempted to take advantage of the situation by creating a fraudulent GoFundMe page using her family’s tragedy. Fortunately, the fake fundraiser was reported before any donations were made.
Family members have shared their heartbreak publicly in emotional tributes posted online. On April 7, Cassandra wrote on Facebook, “Descansa my sweet baby boy!!! Remember mommy loves you so so so much!!! I am going to try my best to be as strong as I can for your brothers my angel [sic].”
She added, “I promise we will move forward and live life with you by our sides always holding our hands…..I love you my baby kiss our other angels for me and give them huge hugs [sic].” In another post on April 6, she shared what she said was her last photo with her son.
Mario’s grandmother, Mendez Gutierrez Angelica, also posted on Facebook. “Please Pray For Our Family… We Have Gained Another Angel. Our Wedito Is In Heaven And I Can’t Wrap My Head Around This One [sic].”
She continued, “You Were Just Here On The Farm With Your Daddy. You Brought So Much Joy And Laughter!! Prayers For Our Son For His Loss. Prayers For Cassandra Pacheco And Her Family As This Was So Unexpected [sic].”
Cassandra’s close friend, Megan Aguilar, also shared her grief online. “Bye my baby boy! My beautiful curly hair sassy nephew! I still cant believe your gone [sic]!” she wrote, alongside several photos of Mario.
The loss of five-year-old Mario has left a lasting impact on his family and community. As they work to recover, loved ones continue to honor his memory and seek support during this difficult time.
Just one day earlier, another tragedy had struck in a different part of the country. A single-vehicle crash on Interstate 65 near Lebanon, Indiana, claimed the life of a teenage boy and left several others injured.
The incident occurred on April 4, 2025, at approximately 4:52 p.m., near the 135-mile marker of the northbound lanes.
According to a statement released by the Lebanon Police Department, officers responded to reports of a serious accident and discovered that two minors had been ejected from the vehicle involved.
Upon arrival, emergency responders closed both directions of the interstate to ensure the safety of those on the scene and began administering life-saving aid. A 12-year-old girl who was ejected during the crash was found breathing and conscious.
She was transported to a hospital in the Indianapolis area for further medical treatment. A 14-year-old boy, also ejected, sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The driver, identified as 35-year-old Taylor Kammes of Illinois, was transported to an Indianapolis hospital for a mandatory blood draw as per Indiana’s Implied Consent law. Additional vehicle occupants were also taken to area hospitals for evaluation and treatment.
Several agencies assisted at the scene, including the Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Lebanon Fire Department, and Boone County Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Additional information provided by People magazine reveals that the young boy who passed away, Jordan Thomas Laskowski, had been returning home to the Chicago area with his family when the accident occurred. They were traveling from North Carolina, where they had spent the spring break.
Detective Sergeant Justin Fuston of the Lebanon Police Department, who also serves as the department’s public information officer, shared that their vehicle reportedly experienced a mechanical issue just before the tragic incident.
The driver, who was identified as the mother of the family, informed authorities that she had been dealing with ongoing problems with the vehicle in the weeks leading up to the crash.
The detective also confirmed that a malfunction did occur prior to the accident, though its exact nature has not yet been disclosed. The investigation remains ongoing.
Upon hearing about the tragedy, online spectators commented on what happened. “Were they not wearing seatbelts [sic],” one Facebooker wondered, while another echoed a similar sentiment, “Why were these kids not seatbelted? Or did they skip outbid [sic] them during the wreck?”
Another netizen urged, “Please wear your seatbelt.”
In the wake of the heartbreaking accident, the 14-year-old’s father, Scott Laskowski, took to social media to share a raw and deeply emotional tribute to his son.
In a Facebook post, the bereaved dad expressed his anguish, writing, “I lost my best friend yesterday in a tragic accident… This pain I’m feeling is overbearing… I never got to say goodbye to my son… He was my best friend and everyoneknew that… i wish I could trade places with him [sic]…”
Scott expressed how he had been looking forward to watching Jordan play high school football this year, adding, “He was an amazing kid. Everything just ripped away… i love you Jordan Thomas [sic].”
Accompanying the heartfelt message was a touching photograph of Scott and Jordan standing side by side. Jordan, wearing a Chicago Cubs jersey over a plain white shirt, smiled gently with his father’s arm wrapped proudly around his shoulder.
Dressed in a Cubs shirt and cap, Scott beamed beside his son. To support the Laskowski family during their time of unimaginable grief, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched.
The fundraiser was created to help cover burial costs, medical expenses and to support the family through the emotional and financial weight of recovery. Currently, over $61,000 of the $100,000 goal has already been raised from 793 donations.
The campaign details how he was traveling with his mother, grandmother, and two younger sisters — Riley Laskowski, 12, who remains hospitalized with serious injuries, and Gracie Laskowski, 8, who thankfully escaped without physical harm.
The emotional toll, however, is profound. The fundraiser message emphasizes the special connection Jordan shared with his father, a man described as a hands-on parent who was always present — whether in the stands at a sporting event or enjoying the simple pleasure of having ice cream with his son.
Their shared love for sports, especially their beloved Dallas Cowboys, created memories that Scott now clings to as part of his son’s legacy.
Attached to the fundraiser is a photo of Jordan smiling alongside his younger sisters, all dressed in matching Chicago Cubs attire at a ballpark — a candid glimpse into the closeness of their sibling bond.
Additional images offer intimate snapshots into Jordan’s life: standing proudly in his football uniform beside his father, spending time with family by the beach, and receiving a kiss on the cheek from Scott during a night out watching football.
“Please take a moment to hug your children, tell the people you love how much they matter, and cherish every moment with them. Scott will never get the chance to say goodbye to his beautiful son, to hold him and tell him how much he loved him,” reads a portion of the GoFundMe message.
It concludes, “Let us all honor Jordan’s memory by expressing our love for those closest to us every single day. Our prayers are with Scott, Taylor, Margo, Riley, Gracie, and the entire Laskowski family as they navigate this heartbreaking time. Thank you for your support, love, and prayers.”
Aside from Scott’s initial post about his son, the grieving father shared another heart-wrenching one. “My baby boy… omg i miss him so much. I wanna trade places with him. He had so much life to live. Please come back please,” penned Scott.
Underneath the post, Scott included a short video clip from one of Jordan’s past football games, where the field buzzed with the familiar energy of youth and competition. The footage, though brief, served as a powerful reminder of Jordan’s vitality and passion for the sport he loved.
Scott also shared two photos: one showing the proud dad smiling beside Jordan after the game, and another of the young athlete in full uniform, standing tall on the field in his red and black Redhawks jersey.
Adding her voice to the outpouring of grief, Margo Laskowski, Jordan’s stepmother, shared a poignant and deeply personal tribute to the teen.
In her message, she reflected on the profound impact Jordan had on her life, affectionately calling him “DingDong” and remembering the simple, everyday quirks that made him who he was.
“You said I saved your dad, but you kids saved me,” she wrote, highlighting the mutual love and healing the family members had brought into each other’s lives.
Margo’s tribute painted a vivid portrait of a boy full of passion and humor — from his obsession with LeBron James to his habit of finishing the milk without a second thought.
“When you love something, you like… REALLY love it,” she added, describing Jordan’s all-in spirit and immense capacity to care.
That same big-hearted energy, she noted, makes his absence feel even more unbearable. “Life is ugly and cruel and unkind and unfair,” Margo expressed.
Through her heartbreak, she found a bittersweet solace in imagining that maybe Jordan was too good for a world that couldn’t hold him.
Signing off with humor and heart, Margo shared, “Love you forever you little weenie, rootbeer boy. I pray to God I get to hear your goofy […] laugh again someday.”
In loving memory of the beloved teen, Conley Funeral Home has created a heartfelt obituary, which they shared online. The dedication offers a tender and vivid reflection of a life lived with joy, depth, and unrelenting spirit.
Born in Geneva, Illinois, on September 26, 2010, and raised in St. Charles, Jordan left an impression wherever he went — from the school hallways where his humor and kindness shone to the sports fields where his determination earned him admiration.
Described as having an “old soul,” he had a remarkable ability to connect with people of all ages, effortlessly bridging gaps with his charm, quick wit, and compassionate heart.
As a true family man at such a young age, Jordan thrived when surrounded by his loved ones, often bringing laughter to the room with his animated impressions, funny faces, and infectious energy.
He gave generously, often thought of others before himself, and approached everything he loved — from the Dallas Cowboys and rap music to Popeye’s chicken sandwiches and Lego sets — with an all-in devotion.
Whether making clutch plays on the football field, watching “Stranger Things,” or getting into occasional mischief, Jordan leaves behind a legacy of joy, strength, and unforgettable memories.
“No one who met Jordan was the same after, and all who knew him deeply mourn his tragic passing in a way that will forever mark their hearts,” divulges a part of the obituary.
It also speaks of a boy, named after basketball icon Michael Jordan, who embraced life wholeheartedly, and of a family now left navigating the impossible — a world without his light.
Jordan is survived by his parents, siblings, step-sister, grandparents, extended family, godparents, and countless friends.
A memorial service is scheduled to take place at Lord of Life Church in Elburn, Illinois, on April 13, where his life will be celebrated and his spirit honored by all who knew and loved him.
Additionally, those seeking to send flowers to Jordan’s family or plant a tree in memory of him are encouraged to visit Conley’s floral store.
We extend our most heartfelt condolences to Scott, Taylor, Margo, Riley, Gracie, other family members, loved ones, and friends mourning this significant loss. We hope for their healing amid their time of grief. RIP, dear Jordan.