Staff Reports
A beloved husband and wife from Four Points have passed away after a March 18 accident in Phoenix during spring break. Tiffini Cunningham succumbed to her injuries at the scene of the crash and her husband, Scott, died this evening, March 30 after spending 12 days in the hospital.
A Caring Bridge post just before 7 p.m. shared that Soctt Cunningham passed away.
“Please pray for our family. Scott is no longersuffering and has joined Tiffini in Heaven,” reads the post from a family member on March 30.
The three Cunningham children are Vandegrift students — a senior and twins, who are juniors — and the baseball and soccer communities are surrounding them as well as family, neighbors, friends and the entire Four Points community.
Hundreds gathered from the community to pray for the Cunningham family at a prayer vigil on March 22 at Towne Square Community Center in Steiner Ranch. Another prayer vigil was scheduled for March 30 at Hill Country Bible Church Steiner at 7:30 p.m.
The family, who lived in Steiner many years, was visiting Arizona during spring break and was involved in a deadly crash in the afternoon of Friday, March 18.
Phoenix 3TV/CBS 5 reported “The accident took place when an SUV with five individuals inside was traveling eastbound on Cactus Road, hitting a sedan trying to turn southbound onto 40th Street. The SUV struck a signal light pole, adding impact to passengers inside.”
Phoenix police said that Tiffini Cunningham died at the scene from injuries while Scott Cunningham was taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition.
Their 18-year-old son and 17-year-old twin daughters were taken to the hospital initially in critical condition, according to police, but have since been released.
A GoFundMe page was set up on March 20 called “Cunningham and Troutman” and in two short days had raised more than $140,000 from 784 donors. As of March 30, over $162,200 were raised by 957 donors.
“It is with grieving hearts that we share this story. Our hearts have been shattered by tragedy,” the site states.
“Tiffini Cunningham, the loving mother of 3 precious children died in the crash and has now gained her angel wings.”
Prior to his passing, the site stated: “Scott Cunningham is hospitalized in critical condition. Scott is a loving husband and father. He faces a major battle to survive and then recover.”
The site shared earlier that Scott continued to be in critical condition after the accident. He suffered a traumatic brain injury along with multiple other injuries. He remained in ICU, in a medically induced coma, where he was monitored 24 hours a day.
The GoFundMe site went on to share more about the dynamic couple: “Tiffini was an amazing stylist in the salon community. Tiffini had a fierce, loving spirit. Scott is a fighter. They would want us to pour into their amazing children and we prayerfully ask for your financial help and continued prayers for their family.
With deep gratitude in advance, we thank anyone that can help this family during the long journey that lies ahead. God bless all!”
One local friend posted hours after the accident:
“High School sweethearts, partners, parents and friends to SO many. They were solid in their faith. The love they had for each other and their children was always on display and undeniable. Tiffini gained her Angel Wings while Scott is fighting for his life. PLEASE PRAY hard for our sweet friends, their three children, their family and the doctors working so hard to heal Scott.”
Another dear friend posted:
“This past Friday my best friend finished her life here on earth. Tiffini Cunningham was a fierce woman who loved with a force that could not be contained. Tiffini’s death leaves a huge hole in my life and the lives of so many others. This grief is one I will carry the weight of for the rest of my life.
Today I ask you for your prayers. The accident that took her life has left her husband in critical condition and her 3 beautiful children heartbroken at the loss of their mother. Pray for Scott’s healing and recovery and for her family as they try to begin to heal from this loss
If you feel called to help you can provide financial support via the GoFundMe created by Scott and Tiffini’s mothers. The months ahead will be filled with many financial burdens for this grieving family.
Tiffini may no longer be in our physical presence but I know she is still with us. She is now standing with an army of angels, fighting with her fierce love for those she has left behind.”
One donor posted:
“I had seen Tiffini once for a haircut and we talked about our families the entire time. She shared how much she loved her children and how proud of them she is. In that single interaction I could tell how important family was to her and how much joy her kids and husband brought her.”
Bible verses are shared on the GoFundMe site including:
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
He saves those crushed in spirit.
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart,
my portion forever.
