Child in 6-car Van Buren Twp. crash that killed father: 'my daddy protected me'

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJBK - "He said my daddy protected me."

That's how Lekeisha Dulin describes how her husband of 15 years and father to her 10-year-old son Shane sacrificed his own life to save their sons..

"He just said let them know my dad is a hero."

3 people killed in Van Buren Township crash

It was around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday when Robert Dulin III and Shane were driving, headed south on Belleville Road headed towards Ecorse Road in Van Buren Township. Police say Dulin was approaching a red light but for some reason never stopped.

"He dad said hold on. He said dad just threw himself over to his side," Lekeisha said.

What followed was a chain reaction crash involving 6 cars that not only took the life of 44-year-old Robert Dulin, but also a mother and her 13-year old son from Canton.

6-car crash kills 3, injures 4 in Van Buren Township

Police say the impact of the crash caused the Kia Sedan to erupt in flames. A witness, Tony Miles, caught some of horrific aftermath on his cell phone. We're told 39-year-old Naomi Uselman and her 13-year-old son Dominick Uselman were killed instantly in the crash and subsequent fire. 

Police say three others were hurt in the crash as well. They are expected to recover, including Shane, who credits his dad for being able to walk away with a few scrapes and bruises.

"He's a strong little boy. He said it's just you and me mom. We're going to make it. I can't believe he's gone but he's a hero," Lekeisha said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.