Holly MatkinWhitesboro, TX – Celina Police Department (CPD) Detective KC Robinson and his six-year-old daughter died in a multi-vehicle crash on their way home from school on April 5.
The 33-year-old off-duty officer and his wife, Lauren Robinson, had just picked up their six-year-old daughter, Brynlee, from kindergarten and were heading to their house when the horrific crash occurred, KDFW reported.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the family was traveling down Highway 56 near Old Sanborn Ranch Road when a school bus stopped ahead of them to drop off a student, KXII reported.
Multiple vehicles came to a stop behind the bus, including Officer Robinson’s vehicle, according to WDFW.
A moment later, a sanitation truck crested a hill behind them and was unable to stop before slamming into one of the stopped cars behind the bus, the DPS said.
The collision set of a chain reaction of crashes involving at least five vehicles, according to KXII.
Det. Robinson and Brynlee both died at the scene, KDFW reported.
Ruben Ramirez, 60, was in another vehicle at the time of the collision and also suffered severe injuries, the DPS said.
Ramirez was rushed to a hospital, where he later passed away.
Lauren Robinson was airlifted to a hospital in Plano, where she remains hospitalized in critical condition, KDFW reported.
Officer Robinson’s mother, Cathy Robinson, said Lauren has been told that her husband and daughter died in the crash.
“She’s going to have a hard time trying to get better without her husband and her child,” Cathy told KDFW.
The couple had been high school sweethearts, KXII reported.
Cathy said her son always seemed destined to become a law enforcement officer.
“He thought it was in his blood because my mom and dad both were police officers when I was growing up. So, he heard stories from his grandpa and grandma,” she told KDFW. “Just a sweet boy. Loved his daughter. His daughter was the world. Lauren was the world to him.”
Det. Robinson served the CPD for three years, and was recently promoted to the rank of detective, PD Chief Allwin Barrow told the news outlet.
He served the Gainesville Police Department for four years prior to joining the CPD, KXII reported.
“He…was doing an excellent job for us. He’s going to be missed greatly,” Chief Barrow said. “This is a family police department. These officers have known each other and care for each other far greater than any department I’ve worked with before and this has compounded this tragedy quite a bit.”
Celina Mayor Sean Terry said the entire close-knit community is in mourning.
“Detective Robinson served our city as passionately as he loved his family, and we deeply miss his presence on our streets and in our lives,” Terry said in a statement to KXII.
A law enforcement procession escorted Det. Robinson’s body from Dallas to Whitesboro on Tuesday, KXII reported.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to honor KC,” Gainesville Fire Department Captain Randy Prestage told the news outlet during the event. “[It’s] a tragic loss to the public service community. It’s an opportunity to honor his life and his daughter’s life and we wish the best to his wife.”
"Great guy, excellent officer, very family oriented," is how Celina Police Chief Allwin Barrow described Robinson,33, who was recently promoted to detective. He'd been with CPD for three and a half years. pic.twitter.com/kjA46OtwL5
— Sophia Beausoleil (@SophiaNBC5) April 7, 2021
Celina community members gathered tonight to honor Celina Police Detective KC Robinson and his daughter, Brynlee, who both died in a car crash Monday.
“KC cared about everything,” one speaker said. “KC was passionate. He was passionate about his family.” pic.twitter.com/Ovjk7IvtK4
— Audrey Henvey (@Audrey_Henvey) April 9, 2021
The Texoma Back the Badge Foundation paying our respects this morning to Detective KC Robinson and his daughter. 🚔#AlwaysBacktheBadge pic.twitter.com/XhSOb9FkEX
— Zac Grantham 🎤🎧📻 (@zacgrantham) April 8, 2021
ROBINSON MEMORIAL: The memorial for the loss of Detective K.C. Robinson and his daughter is growing tremendously.
The memorial is open to the public for the remainder of the week in front of the Celina City Council Chambers. The patrol unit was Detective Robinson’s. @KTENnews pic.twitter.com/WEIc6nk5Uk
— Baylee Bates (@BayleeBatesNews) April 7, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Celina Police Department Detective KC Robinson, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
