MASON COUNTY, Mich. — The family of 35-year-old Latoya Smith said it was in her nature to pull over and help people who were in need.
"She'd throw the best birthdays, the best Christmases for her children," said Justin Hannaman, Smith's nephew.
Smith died on Wednesday night after a crash on US-31 near the Ludington Rest Area in Mason County.
According to the Mason County Sheriff's Office, a car had lost control on US-31 and spun out into the median. Smith and another woman saw the crash and pulled over to check on those in the vehicle.
A pickup truck then lost control and slipped off the road, hitting the two women and the other vehicle in the median.
Smith died Wednesday night at the hospital and four others were hospitalized with varying injuries.
"She was a beacon of light. When she walked into her room, you knew it. She was kind, loving, giving," said Michelle Verschueren, Smith's mother. "She'd stop and help anybody in need. That's the kind of person she was."
Smith leaves behind a boyfriend of 18 years and two sons.
"She adored her boys. She'd do anything for her boys, her kids, period," said Clifford Verschueren, Smith's father.
Smith's family shared several stories, talking about her love for doing crafts for her children, and how she always went the extra mile to make family events special.
Her family also shared that Christmas was her favorite holiday, and that they will honor her by being together as a family this holiday season.
"We are going to continue on with Christmas this year, even though it's going to be really hard, but Latoya, that was her favorite holiday, and we would always get together out to their house for Christmas every year," said Heather Hannaman, sister of Smith's boyfriend.
"We're gonna try to make it the best Christmas for the kids," said Michelle. "We're all going to be there as a family in her honor because that's the way she would have wanted."
Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole said Smith died doing what anyone would hope others would do if they were in need.
"I would hope her family would know that she was a hero," said Cole. "She was doing what she thought was right, and I would suspect she got out of the car thinking she was going to make a difference in somebody's bad night, and unfortunately, she paid with her life."
Sheriff Cole said his office is still investigating the crash but believes dark and wet weather conditions to have been a factor.
"I have 100% confidence in our crash reconstruction team that they'll get to the bottom of it," said Cole.
Smith's family said they've been overwhelmed by support from the community, and hope that the family of Smith's friend can also receive support.
"Katie was injured in the same manner," said Justin. "She's a good Samaritan, a good person, and she needs the love and support this community can give her."
A GoFundMe has been set up for Smith's family to help with funeral and burial costs.
A GoFundMe has also been set up for the family of Katie Bigsby who is currently hospitalized.