Attorney: Two kids in St. Louis Park crash recognize relatives' voices

Five-year-old Amani Coleman-Guerrido and 1-year-old Aliyana Rennie recognized the voices of family members Sunday as the children continued to improve after the car crash that claimed two siblings, a family spokesman said.

"They're showing signs of being responsive. They recognize mom's voice, grandma's voice," said family friend and attorney Rick Petry.

Petry said Sunday that he did not have any new information about the condition of 6-year-old Zarihana Rennie, who was said Saturday to be unresponsive at Hennepin County Medical Center. He said there may be information Monday about funeral arrangements for Zenavia Rennie, 5, and Alarious Coleman-Guerrido, 7, both of whom died Thursday.

The children were riding in a car driven by Marion Guerrido, 23, when it plunged into a frigid pond next to a Hwy. 100 ramp in St. Louis Park on Thursday morning, trapping the youngsters underwater for up to 45 minutes.

There was no new information Sunday about how the accident happened, but Shaniece Thompson, mother of Zarihana and Zenavia, told WCCO-TV that she was angry to learn that Guerrido, mother of the other three children, had only a learner's driving permit.

"She's the one who witnessed my children's last breath," Thompson told the station. "I would like to know what really happened."

Thompson did not respond to phone messages left for her Sunday.

Petry said he hasn't spoken with Thompson but he hopes to soon. An online fund for the blended family of Guerrido and her boyfriend, Julius Rennie, stood at $10,500 on Sunday morning, he said. He hopes to eventually raise $100,000 to pay for medical and funeral expenses. To donate, go to strib.mn/I8nWMG.

A fund also has been set up at Thompson's workplace to help her family. Donations are being accepted at ShopJimmy's Burnsville location. □

Pat Pheifer • 952-746-3284