Tanielu Soli Jr and His Son Jarius Tanielu, 12, Killed in Tragic Vehicle Crash on NC Highway 87 Near Swallowtail Court in Cumberland County, Death Obituary: Family Mourns
It is with profound sadness that authorities and community members in North Carolina are mourning the tragic loss of a father and his young son following a devastating crash in Cumberland County. The victims have been identified as 41-year-old Tanielu Soli Jr. and his 12-year-old son, Jarius Tanielu, both residents of Fayetteville.
The fatal collision occurred shortly after 10:00 a.m. on NC Highway 87 North near Swallowtail Court, just south of Fayetteville. According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, a Ford Fusion traveling southbound left the roadway for reasons still under investigation. The vehicle first struck a guardrail, then crossed back across the roadway, hit a median ditch, became airborne, and overturned.
In a violent chain of events, the Ford Fusion re-entered the roadway while overturned and collided head-on with a Subaru Outback traveling northbound. The force of the impact was catastrophic. Both occupants of the Ford Fusion—Tanielu Soli Jr. and his son Jarius—were ejected from the vehicle and were pronounced dead at the scene. Officials confirmed that neither survived the crash.
Investigators noted that early findings do not suggest excessive speed or alcohol were factors in the incident, leaving the exact cause still under active review. Authorities will continue examining possible contributing factors such as driver distraction, medical emergency, mechanical failure, or roadway conditions as part of the ongoing investigation.
The driver of the Subaru Outback sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center for treatment. While physically recovering, they are also left to cope with the emotional trauma of witnessing and surviving such a sudden and violent crash.
The loss of Tanielu Soli Jr. and his young son has deeply shaken the Fayetteville community. Family, friends, and neighbors are grappling with the heartbreak of losing two loved ones in a single moment. Tanielu, 41, was remembered as a devoted father and valued member of his community, while Jarius, just 12 years old, was described as a bright child with his entire future ahead of him.
As news of the tragedy spreads, messages of sympathy and support continue to pour in for the grieving family. Schools, friends, and community members are coming together in shared mourning, offering prayers and comfort during an unimaginable time of loss.
In the days ahead, funeral arrangements will be made as the family begins the painful process of saying goodbye. While the investigation continues, those who knew Tanielu and Jarius are left holding onto memories of love, laughter, and the irreplaceable bond between father and son.
Both lives ended far too soon, leaving behind a silence that words cannot fill, but a memory that will endure in the hearts of all who knew them.