Family Devastated After Car Crashes Through Home, Killing Mother

PALM HARBOR, FL — A Palm Harbor family is devastated both emotionally and financially after a speeding Tesla car crashed through the walls of a Palm Harbor home Friday night, killing a 69-year-old woman and her daughter's Yorkshire terrier, Lily.

Donna Rein was at home with her daughter, Lindsey Jones, and her boyfriend, at 10:21 p.m. when the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid ran a stop sign on Manning Road, struck an embankment and became airborne, crashing into Rein's home at 1498 Caird Way, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Rein and the little dog died at the scene.

The driver, an unnamed 43-year-old Palm Harbor man, and his three passengers were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. One of the passengers, a 43-year-old Odessa man, later died.

Rein's other daughter, Amber Michelle Mooney, said people were naturally drawn to her mother.

“She does everything for everyone. She has the biggest heart in the world. Everybody loved her," Mooney said. "All of our friends thought of her as a second mom."

Rein, who would have turned 70 next month, retired from her job to help Jones take care of her daughters who have special needs.

Mooney said her mother's death has devastated her sister. Not only has Lindsey Jones lost her mother, she's lost her home and the person she counted on to help her care for her daughters.

Family friend Erin Flynn has set up a GoFundMe account to raise money to assist Jones with her financial needs.

“We need help," Mooney said. "My sister needs help, she doesn’t have a house, and she doesn’t have my mom to help her take care of her girls."

"The home and their lives are completely destroyed," Flynn said. "Donna was the main caregiver for her daughter, Lindsey, and her two special-needs grandchildren who were always by their grandmother's side. Now, Lindsey and her daughters have no home and need somewhere to live."

In just three days, her plea has been heard by 195 people who have donated $38,975 as of Monday night.

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See related story: Resident, Driver Die When Tesla Crashes Into Palm Harbor Home