After her father passed away in a vehicle accident on September 13 only minutes after leaving her home, a 22-year-old YouTuber from Ohio made a video in memory of him.
Steph Pappas, who has 1.4 million YouTube followers, was seen crying in the video as she stated that only her mother survived after her mother and father were killed in a vehicle accident immediately after leaving a family meal at her home.
She continued to recount the incident, claiming that another motorist approached her parents as they were going home. She claimed, “My dad attempted to swerve, but it occurred too quickly, and he died.”
According to the neighbourhood news source Cleveland 19, Pappas’ 53-year-old father, John, was declared deceased at the site of the collision on September 11.
According to the publication, a 27-year-old male drove left of centre and struck Pappas’ vehicle; authorities believe drinking and drugs may have played a role, but no charges have been brought. A request for comment from Insider was not immediately answered by the Jackson Township Police Department.
It was heartbreaking, she continued, “and it’s a miracle my mom survived. It really is. When I saw the car, it was terrible. They left, and two minutes later, I get a call from my mum and it was terrible, it was really terrible. They were only like a minute away from my house. I hurried up and drove there, and it was so heartbreaking.”
Pappas said that the evening before the event, her family had a good time together. She said, “That night we were laughing on the sofa, watching YouTube videos together. I really don’t know what to do with myself.
I am so broken. I feel empty inside. I feel confused, like, why did this happen to my family? He was the nicest, best person ever. He really was. It still doesn’t feel real, she continued. “I got two hours of sleep the last two days.
I haven’t eaten anything. I’m in the same shirt that I was last with my dad. I haven’t showered.
On social media, the YouTuber’s followers sent her father moving tributes.
Since dad often appeared in her films, which generally comprised the two of them sampling cuisine together, Pappas noted in her video that her father played a “huge role” in her YouTube channel.
Fans have expressed their condolences for the YouTuber’s father’s passing and have left encouraging comments about Pappas’ relationship with him under her YouTube video and under a post she made on Instagram on September 14 that included a montage of clips from YouTube videos the two of them co-starred in.
One reader said, “I’m very sad steph. The love you two had will always be so precious,” while another added, “Please know your father-daughter relationship influenced SO many lives. This wonderful link you have is valued by so many.”
Under her memorial video, the YouTuber also provided a link to a GoFundMe campaign to help with burial expenses; thus far, nearly $78,000 has been donated to the effort.