Sam Skinner Obituary, Death News – A tragic incident unfolded in Holly Township, Michigan, where a mother was struck and killed in a parking lot while holding her 1-year-old daughter. The woman has been identified by family members as 29-year-old Sam Skinner.

According to Michigan State Police, the accident occurred Sunday evening at the parking lot of Alex’s Market & Grill. When troopers arrived at the scene, they found Skinner lying face down and unresponsive. She was pronounced dead on site.

At the time of the incident, Skinner was holding her young daughter, Marley. Authorities say both mother and child were run over by a vehicle. Miraculously, Marley survived the incident but sustained broken bones. She was taken to a hospital and is currently recovering from her injuries.

Family members explained that Skinner was in the process of either placing or removing another child from her vehicle, a Ford Explorer, when the tragedy happened. Her cousin and best friend, Tiffany MacDermaid, said Skinner was helping her 5-year-old stepson during a custody exchange when the collision occurred.

“They were in the parking lot for a custody handoff. Sam was holding Marley while assisting her stepson,” MacDermaid told local news outlet WXYZ. “It’s just such a horrific way to go. Even worse that it came from someone else’s carelessness.”

A Ford pickup truck parked next to the family suddenly backed out of its spot and ran over both Skinner and her daughter. Despite the severity of the situation, the baby miraculously survived, something MacDermaid attributes to Skinner’s protective instincts. “It’s very telling of who Sam was—protecting her baby until the very end.”

The 72-year-old driver of the pickup remained at the scene and cooperated with the authorities. State troopers suspect he was impaired by narcotics at the time of the crash. He was arrested and a blood sample was taken to test for drugs, with results still pending.

First Lieutenant Mike Shaw of Michigan State Police emphasized the dangers of drug-impaired driving. “Many drivers understand the risks of alcohol, but drug impairment is equally dangerous,” he said. “Whether it’s prescription drugs, marijuana, or over-the-counter medication, they all can impair your ability to drive safely.”

Skinner’s sudden death has left her family and community in mourning. MacDermaid described her cousin as someone who brought joy to those around her. “She was born to be a mother,” she said, recalling Skinner’s deep bond with her daughter Marley.

To support funeral costs and help the grieving family, a GoFundMe page has been launched.

The case remains under investigation by Michigan State Police, as they await toxicology reports and further evidence. Meanwhile, the community continues to grieve the loss of a devoted mother taken too soon.