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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – The Coppens family is coming together to mourn the loss of their beloved family member, 10-year-old Jaden.

Jaden lost her life after a severe accident at the intersection of Bailey Cove and Weatherly Road in south Huntsville Tuesday evening.  Jaden and her family were returning from a vacation beach trip to Panama City when their car was struck.

WHNT News 19’s Matt Kroschel was able to sit down with Jaden’s grandmother, Lucy Slater, and Skype with her father, Dominique Coppens, to learn more about this young life so tragically lost.

“She was just wonderful.  There’s nothing else to say about her,” said Slater.  “All of the girls are wonderful.  She was just special and so beautiful.”

According to father Dominique Coppens, Jaden loved to play sports, including softball, where she played catcher, and basketball.  He described her as being shy but very compassionate.

  • Jaden Coppens (Photo provided by family)
  • Jaiden hugging her little sister, Journey, on Mother's Day 2013.

“I think this is a message to everybody out there that life is so fragile and how instantaneously it can disappear,” said father Dominique Coppens.  Dominique is currently returning to the U.S. from Budapest to be with his family.

Journey Coppens, 8, is already back home with her family.  Jasmine Coppens, 11, is still in the hospital with a broken leg.  Mother Andrea Coppens, who is sharing a hospital room with Jasmine, is listed as being in good condition.

A fund has been established to help the Coppens family with medical and burial costs.  Donations can be made at Redstone Federal Credit Union under the name “The Coppens Family Donation Fund.”

The Southeast YMCA held a candlelight vigil in memory of Jaden on Wednesday evening.  Many classmates, teammates and their families came to pray together and remember their young friend.