Victims of B.C. highway crash identified as parents and their newborn baby

Family members have identified the three people killed in a highway crash in Castlegar, B.C., this week as two young parents and their newborn baby.

A joint statement released on Wednesday saidHabib Moonflower, 26, Ashley Mullaney, 25, and Vincent Moonflower-Mullaney,just eight days old, all diednear the remote community of Thrums on Monday.

The couple's two-year-old daughter, Meadow, survived the crash and was taken to hospital.

"To say we are devastated, heartbroken and destroyed is an understatement," read a statement from Kim Mullaney, Ashley's mother.

The family was travelling in a car on Highway 3A when their vehiclecollided with a pickup truck around 4 p.m. PT.

RCMP said the initial investigation suggestedthe car made a U-turn into the truck's path.

Meadow is expected to survive, but now faces life without her parents and baby brother.

"We all love this little girl so much and will do everything to make sure she grows up knowing how much she was loved by her parents and how much she will always be loved by her whole family," wrote Mullaney.

Mullaney describedAshley, her youngest child, as "a blessing" to their family.

"She was the best mom I've ever known and she truly lived for her sweet babies. She was compassionate and understanding and she has been my rock for years ... I would give anything to hear her call me mom just one more time," the statement read.

"Habib was my son-in-law and I can't say enough good things about him," Mullaney added."He was such a good dad and kept my daughter and granddaughter laughing."

She ended the statement with words for her newborn grandson.

"I only got to hold you fivetimes in the eightshort days of your life but youwere loved and so precious to me. I was excited to watch you learn and grow into a big boy, but your time with us was cut way too short."

Moonflower's parents said they were shattered.

"While I truly feel the miracle of grace of having cuppy still with us," wroteKatia and Lorne Giesler, referring to their surviving granddaughter,"I cannot comprehend the lossof my son, my daughter-in-law and my grandson."

"I love you so much."

RCMPsaid Moonflower was driving and Ashley Mullaney was in the passenger seat of the car. Officerssaid it will be difficult, if not impossible, to determine why the car might have made a U-turn.

Mounties are investigating whether any additional factors led tothe crash, butsaid officers "don't haveinformation to suggest that drugs or alcohol or speed" played a role.

The driver of the pickup was treated for minor injuries at thescene.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who might have more information is asked to contact Castlegar RCMPat250-365-7721.