Tragedy struck unexpectedly when Sean "Squishy" Tai Garinger was involved in an ATV accident that took his life in a few moments. His mom, who witnessed her son's passing, shared details of his death during an interview.
Accepting the death of a loved one is no easy feat, especially when that individual is young and vibrant, with a whole life ahead of them. Such was the case for Sean "Squishy" Tai Garinger's family.
The tragic news of Garinger's passing on February 28, 2024, sent shockwaves through his community, leaving behind a profound sense of loss and grief.
Garinger, just 20 years old and born on June 11, 2003, hailed from South Dakota but met his untimely demise in Boone, North Carolina. His mother, Mary Hobbs, confirmed the heartbreaking news, recounting the harrowing details of his final moments.
"I was with him when it happened. He was just moving [the ATV] from one parking spot to the next for me, so I could back into park," she revealed. "He pulled [in] front of me to park the ATV and the ground gave way from all the rain and mud."
Tragically, the ATV flipped, resulting in a fatal injury to his head. Hobbs described how she desperately sought help from neighbors to lift the ATV off her son, to no avail. "By that time, I realized he wasn't alive anymore," she lamented.
Hobbs spoke poignantly of her only son, whom she referred to as the source of her strength and the person who grounds her, expressing the profound impact of his loss on her life.
Garinger's vibrant spirit and zest for life were evident to all who knew him. He was known as "Squishy" by those close to him and was referred to as a "military brat" in his obituary. His passion for adventure knew no bounds, from driving RC cars to skydiving, surfing, and exploring the ocean depths.
Garinger gained significant attention when he starred on MTV's "16 and Pregnant" Season 6B as the father of Selena Gutierrez's children. They had two children, Dareli and Esmi, whom they loved and cared for despite their relationship struggles and allegations of infidelity.
When they were still a couple, they lived in Arizona with Hobbs. Gutierrez revealed that she would often be alone with the kids as Garinger would go to work.
In fact, Garinger and his mother had just returned from a car dealership before his accident, with plans to purchase a vehicle so Garinger could visit his daughters in Colorado, where Gutierrez resides. However, fate had other plans, as they never returned to the dealership.
Garinger and Gutierrez had been separated for a while and had already moved on from their relationship when he passed away. However, Garinger was reportedly close to her family and would visit his kids.
In the wake of his passing, Garinger's family and friends are left to grapple with the enormity of their loss. His memorial service, held at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home in Boone, NC, on March 2, 2024, served as a poignant reminder of the impact Sean had on those around him. He is survived by his beloved daughters, mother, Hobbs, and six sisters.
Sadly, another face in the entertainment scene recently passed away. WWE legend "Virgil" Michael Jones died at 61 years old.
