In Loving Memory of Deona Ellison, 38, and Te’Auna Ellison, 17 Forever Loved. Forever Missed
The community of Trotwood and the greater Dayton area are mourning a heartbreaking loss after a devastating three-vehicle crash Wednesday morning claimed the lives of 38-year-old Deona Ellison and her 17-year-old daughter, Te’Auna Ellison. What began as an ordinary day quickly turned into an unimaginable tragedy—one that has left a family shattered, friends grieving, and a community searching for comfort.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, troopers from the Dayton post responded at approximately 8:11 a.m. to the scene of a severe crash on East Main Street near the Ohio 49 intersection. Investigators say a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban traveling eastbound crossed left of center, striking a westbound 2015 Ford Taurus head-on. In the chaos of the collision, a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox also became involved, veering off the right side of the roadway after striking the Suburban.
Inside the Taurus was Deona Ellison, a loving mother, daughter, and friend, whose presence was a source of strength and warmth to all who knew her. She was reportedly driving her children that morning—something she had done countless times before with care and dedication. Her daughter, Te’Auna, a bright and spirited 17-year-old with a promising future, was seated among the passengers. Both were transported to Miami Valley Hospital, where, despite the best efforts of medical teams, they tragically succumbed to their injuries.
Two other juveniles riding in the Taurus were rushed to Dayton Children’s Hospital with serious injuries. Miraculously, they are expected to survive. The driver of the Suburban was transported to Miami Valley Hospital with serious injuries, while the occupants of the Equinox—one adult and three passengers—escaped unharmed.
In the midst of heartbreak, the outpouring of support at the scene was immense. Responders from the Trotwood Police Department, Trotwood Fire and Rescue, Harrison Township Fire and EMS, New Lebanon Fire and EMS, the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, and Trotwood Public Works all came together in a united effort to assist victims and families during one of their darkest moments. Their dedication reflects the compassion that holds this community together.
But beyond the details of what happened, it is the lives lost that weigh most heavily on the hearts of loved ones.
Deona Ellison was known for her kindness, strength, and unwavering devotion to her family. She carried herself with grace and compassion, balancing the responsibilities of motherhood with love and resilience. Whether she was lending a listening ear, offering words of encouragement, or simply being present for those she cared about, Deona made a lasting impact on every life she touched.
Te’Auna Ellison, just 17, was a young woman full of dreams, potential, and warmth. She was the kind of daughter, friend, and student whose smile could brighten a room. Her future was wide open—full of hope, goals, and the excitement that comes with youth. Her loss is not only a personal tragedy for her family but also for a community that believed in her potential.
As loved ones grapple with this indescribable pain, memories of Deona and Te’Auna become treasures—snapshots of laughter, shared moments, celebrations, and the everyday joys of life that now mean everything. Their bond as mother and daughter was undeniable, and it will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew them.
In moments like this, communities come together—not only to mourn, but to support, uplift, and remind grieving families that they are not alone. As we honor Deona and Te’Auna’s memory, may we find comfort in their legacy of love, kindness, and the joy they brought into the world. May their spirits live on in the lives they touched and the hearts they shaped.
May Deona Ellison and Te’Auna Ellison rest peacefully.
May their family find strength.
And may their memory be a light in the darkness.
