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Family Remembers Boy, 9, Killed In Rollover Crash

ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- The family of a 9-year-old St. Paul boy killed in a rollover crash is devastated.

Alonzo Stevenson was ejected from the SUV when the driver fell asleep at the wheel, woke up and over-corrected, causing the vehicle to rollover.

"My grandson was very silly. He loved to play practical jokes," said LaLita Stevenson.

Alonzo was a typical kid. He loved football, baseball, playing video games and hanging with his 13-year-old sister, Princess.

"He was so loving. He cared about everybody and everything," said Antonio Stevenson, Alonzo's Dad.

The children were with their mother and her friend, who was driving, on a trip to Chicago early Sunday morning.

They were near Madison when the driver fell asleep.

"Before the accident happened, I told him to make sure to wake me up if he's falling asleep and not to keep on driving, but, of course, he fell asleep, dozed off," said Otheria Roverson, Alonzo's mom. "The next thing I know we were tumbling the car was just rolling over."

Otheria says she does not know how many times the truck rolled. All she remembers is the sound of her daughter's voice.

"My daughter was screaming, 'where is Alonzo? Where is Alonzo?'" Otheria said.

Alonzo was found on the ground nearby. He did not survive.

"We all had our seat belt on, but Alonzo took his off. I guess he wanted to feel comfortable," said Otheria.

It's not the first time this family has dealt with tragedy.

On July 4, 2003, Alonzo's cousins, who are twins named Supreme Knowledge and Sincere Understanding, were 14 months old when their mother threw them off the Wabasha Bridge and into the water below.

Supreme Knowledge survived, but Sincere Understanding's body was found two days later, 11 miles downstream.

"Time is promised to no one. If you're watching this, we could use some assistance," said Stevenson.

The rollover is still under investigation.

The family is looking for help to pay for the expense of bringing Alonzo's body back to Minnesota for burial. They hope to bury him next to his little cousin, Sincere.

If you would like to help, you can donate to the Alonzo Stevenson Memorial Fund at any US Bank.

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