In Loving Memory of Damion Saylor Jr. (DJ)

Hi, my name is Scherell Saylor, and my husband and I have started this GoFundMe for our son Damion (DJ). Unfortunately, we lost our beloved son in a tragic car accident. On December 6, 2022, my 9-year-old son, 11-year-old daughter and I were traveling on M39 Southfield Freeway when I had gotten a flat tire. I put my hazards on and got over to the right lane. The nearest exit which was 8 mile Rd. was coming up, and I figured I'd just continue driving at about 10 miles per hour and get off the freeway to go to the closest gas station. Traffic was light, and those who needed to went around me with no problem. Everything seemed to be okay, and the traffic behind me at the time was at least a block away, and then out of nowhere about 30 seconds to a minute later, this box truck rams us from behind at full speed. We ended up spinning as I had lost control of the wheel after the very intense hit going from the far right lane to the far left lane and when we stopped the box truck was sandwiched in between my car and the medium. I'm unsure how we ended up the way we did, but that was not my concern at that moment. My only concern was getting my children out of the vehicle. I heard my daughter speaking, so I knew she was at least conscious. Then we were calling out to DJ but he did not respond. My heart was heavy and I tried not to get overwhelmed as my focus was to get him out of the vehicle. My daughter and I tried repeatedly to wake him up to get him out of the vehicle, but it was difficult because he was wedged in between the passenger and back seat. I told my daughter that she had to get out of the car because it became difficult to breathe and I was trapped myself. By God's grace, her window was down and she was able to exit the vehicle. A good Samaritan had to help DJ and me get out of the car because I was unable to exit through the window and the doors would not open due to the impact of the crash. After about 5-15 minutes of kicking and prying, we were finally able to get the doors open and grab DJ. Shortly after the paramedics arrived on the scene they had to resuscitate DJ and transported him to Providence hospital. They stabilized my son and sent him to Beaumont Children's Hospital in Royal Oak. For about eight days the staff did everything possible to revive him, but the damage proved to be too severe. After two clinical tests, the doctors could not find any brain activity. So, an additional test was given to see if blood flow was traveling to his brain, but unfortunately, the results brought the doctors to the same conclusion. Sadly, our son was pronounced clinically brain dead on December 14th.

DJ was a very special boy! He was one of a kind. He touched the heart of everyone he met. He is our only son, and we miss him so very much. He is a brother to his sister, and so many others like our church members, friends and staff from the school, all those who viewed him as family. DJ has a multitude of family, friends, classmates, as well as the community who misses him, and love him so very much! DJ was very energetic. If you knew him, you know that there was never a dull moment. That's why now seems so surreal because he has never been this quiet and still. Not even when he slept, he would at least snore. But DJ never really sat still much. He was always doing something or getting into something. He liked drawing, making and creating things, and building things as he was good with his hands. He was very bright and intelligent, an honor roll student. DJ was a very awesome kid, and we hate to see him go so soon. Thank God we were able to spend 10 beautiful years with him. DJ will forever be in our hearts and prayers, and we look forward to meeting him again in Heaven. Our hearts may be heavy, but the burden is light as we know that our son is with our Heavenly Father. He did not have to suffer nor did he feel any pain.

DJ is also our hero as he is going to save so many lives. He is a very caring and loving person, and it is great that he can be a blessing to others. We are grateful to be able to donate his organs to be a gift of life to others. This was his wish, even at a young age. Our family has gone through a similar situation last year with my brother, DJ's uncle, who had given 5 of his gifts and tissue to help save 6 lives. This past summer at my brother's gift of life celebration DJ learned and understood more about donating, and it was then that DJ told his dad that he would like to donate his organs just like his uncle Wendell! My husband preceded to tell DJ that he would not have to worry about anything like that for many many years from now. But, unfortunately, we face this day today. We are so very proud of our son for wanting to be a gift to others even while he sleeps eternally. He is gone too soon but never forgotten. DJ was able to donate his heart, kidneys, liver, and pancreas.

Our family needs donations to help fund DJ's funeral costs and hospital bills. 100% of the net proceeds will go to the family. Our family is so grateful for all who have been there, and for everyone's support, love, prayers and donations during this difficult time. The family would especially like to thank Providence Hospital staff, and all of Beaumont Children's Hospital nurses, doctors, and staff who took care of him and did everything that they could to save our son's life.