A head-on collision near Frederica claimed six lives Monday afternoon, including four children, two of them just 5 years old.

Two SUVs, one driven by Michael E. Miller, 34, of Frederica, the other by Kelly D. Rinaldi, 36, of Harrington, collided on Carpenter Bridge Road at about 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 10, causing both cars to “burst into flames,” according to state police.

There was no one else in Miller’s SUV, but Rinaldi had four passengers, all of them her children: Jacob Rinaldi, 15, Kaylee Crow, 7, and Kyle and Jessup Crow, both 5.

All were killed in the crash and subsequent fire. 

The three Crow children were students at Lake Forest East Elementary School.

“It is a true tragedy, for our community and for our school,” Principal Martha Clark said.

The school district brought in counselors from other schools and outside districts, as well as family crisis therapists and counselors from Delaware Guidance Services.

Clark said they set up “grief rooms” for students and teachers, and stationed counselors in the victims’ classrooms throughout the day.

“If students are very upset, if they need to get away, they can go there,” Clark said.

The district also helped families with grief counseling at Family Health, Fitness and Nutrition Night, which was held Wednesday evening at Lake Forest East.

According to Delaware State Police Cpl. Bruce Harris, an accident reconstruction team is still trying to figure out what caused the crash.

Miller was driving a 2004 Ford Explorer eastbound, while Rinaldi was driving west in a 1999 Explorer, but according to police reports, it is still unknown which driver crossed over or why.