ATLANTA — A 10-year-old boy died at an Atlanta hospital on Sunday following a crash in DeKalb County, Georgia, that killed his father and two of his siblings, according to DeKalb County police.
Kisasi Ramsess, 10, had been critically injured and was hospitalized on November 2, the day when the crash happened, police said. Kisasi was the grandchild of Akili Ramsess, a leader within the National Association of Black Journalists and executive director of the National Press Photographers’ Association. His father, Taraja Ramsess, 41, was a big screen stuntman who also died in the crash.
Taraja Ramsess, Akila Ramsess’ son, appeared in blockbuster films like “Black Panther” and the “Avengers” movies. He also was a stunt double for late actor Richard Roundtree.
Taraja Ramsess died in the crash as did his 13-year-old daughter, Sundari Ramsess, and his newborn, Fujibo Ramsess.
“He was an amazing, tremendous father,” Akili Ramsess told Atlanta News First just after the crash. “He loved his children,” she said.
Akili Ramses is former chair of NABJ’s Visual Task Force and taught visuals with NABJ’s student project.
“This tragedy deeply saddens the NABJ family,” President Ken Lemon said. “Taraja Ramsess’ mom has a passion for sharing her talents. She gives with her heart to photography mentees of NABJ’s student projects. She helps young people reach their fullest potential. She served admirably as chair of NABJ’s Visual Task Force.”
Lemon added, “Her family remains in our prayers and may God help her through this difficult and very painful period in their lives. We ask you to join us in sending support.”
The current head of NABJ’s Visual Task Force also expressed his condolences.
“The Visual Task Force is truly heartbroken over the loss that one of our VTF family leaders, Akili Ramsess, and her family have suffered,” VTF Chair Lance Washington said. “This has hit us, as an extended family, very hard and we are standing in support with Akili in this difficult time. She is proud of the accomplishments of her family and she loves them so much. There was never a moment she didn’t let anyone know how proud she was of them. The example her son set for his children is something she is more than proud of. The Visual Task Force has been and will continue to be at Akili’s side and continue to aid her and her family in any and all ways we can.”
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A GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign was set up to support Akili Ramsess as she copes with the deaths of four close family members.
Akili Ramsess also told Atlanta News First last week that her son was a real superhero to his children.
She said of Kisasi Ramsess, “He was so proud of his daddy being in the film and when he took his school picture he did his Wakanda forever tribute to his daddy.”
Along with working as a stunt double for Richard Roundtree, Taraja Ramsess was also well-versed in set design, Akili Ramsess said.
She said one of the things she’s most proud of is the example her son set for his children.
“I think it’s special for them to know he had these great dreams and he lived most of them,” Akili Ramsess said.
Officers responded to the crash on an exit ramp from I-285 to I-20 E involving a tractor-trailer and the pickup truck driven by Ramsess.
