Chronicle: Popular Atlanta Santa Claus is gone forever

FOX 5 Atlanta’s Toys for Tots Santa is killed.

He and his wife were in a fatal car accident.

Both died.

One sad reality of life is that we all leave our homes, but absolutely no one can guarantee that we will return.

With so many tragedies happening around us, it’s all too easy for any of us to be next in facing an unpleasant situation.

Whether due to crime or any type of accident, our circumstances can change in an instant.

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Popular Atlanta Santa Claus is killed in a car accident

Photo: Gwinnett County Police Department

Today we might feel happy and the next day we cry. One minute we could be breathing and the next we are lifeless— this is our harsh and current reality.

On Sunday, a car accident on a busy street in Norcross, Georgia, left two people dead and two more in critical condition.

The accident occurred in broad daylight on Buford Highway, according to the Gwinnett County Police Department.

At about 1:30 p.m., a black Toyota Sienna crashed into a red Volvo XC60 that was turning right from South Peachtree Street.

The cause of the fatal collision is unknown

PHOTO: Shutterstock

The four victims were transported to local hospitals. Two did not survive, while the others remain in critical condition, authorities stated.

The police identified the deceased as Jill Swenson, 73, and William Brown, 74, who were traveling in the Volvo.

“The factor that led to this terrible tragedy is still under investigation,” stated Juan Reyes, a Master Patrol Officer with the Gwinnett police.

“Due to the severity of the injuries involved, we requested the intervention of our special accident investigation unit,” he added.

A beloved Santa Clause is gone

Photo: Norcross Lionheart Theatre

“The paramedics transported the injured to nearby medical centers, all in serious condition,” he concluded.

William Brown was a very well-known character across Georgia as he had been the Toys for Tots Santa Clause for many years.

In fact, he was the face of the local FOX 5 Atlanta newscast every Christmas, bringing smiles to the faces of hundreds or perhaps thousands of children.

Both Brown and his wife Jill Swenson were also active members of the Lionheart Theatre, which has already expressed their sorrow and offered condolences to the family.

Our community mourns

PHOTO: Archive/MundoNow

“Bill and Jill were key figures from our beginnings, and this news has been devastating for us,” Lionheart Theater shared in a social media post.

“Please keep their daughters Sarah and Jessie and the rest of their relatives in our thoughts and prayers,” they added.

May God in His glory hold them, give peace to the loved ones of the victims, and allow the quick recovery of the others involved in that terrible crash.

Once again, it’s worth reminding ourselves that no one is exempt from being involved in something like this, so we must turn to our faith and entrust ourselves to the Creator. Thank you for reading my Chronicle today on MundoNow.