It was a heartbreaking scene in Dade City Tuesday night after a tragic car accident Tuesday morning killed a mother, father, and one of their children early Tuesday in Polk City.

Dozens of neighbors turned out Tuesday night to remember 31-year-old Justin Sims, his 28-year-old wife, Sharonda, and their 5-year-old son Savion.

The vigil was held in front of the couple’s apartment on Acorn Loop in Dade City.

Candles, teddy bears, and balloons filled the couple’s front step while residents wiped away tears, held each other tight, and prayed.

Neighbors said even though the family just moved to the area in May of last, they said it is a huge loss for this tight-knit community.

“Torn to pieces,” said Patricia Gray, who is known in the neighborhood as “Momma.” At Tuesday night’s vigil, she told us she was, “torn to pieces. It was just shocking to me."

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the crash happened just after midnight at State Road 33 and Deen Still Road.

Deputies said 31-year-old Justin Sims, his 28-year-old wife Sharonda Sims and their 5-year-old son Savion were killed when Justin failed to stop at a stop sign at S.R. 33 and was struck by a semi-truck traveling north.

The car was struck by the trailer of the semi and dragged about 400 feet, officials said.

Officials said the Sims, of Dade City, were in their 1998 Buick Century with their four children. The family was returning to Dade City after a day of shopping at an outlet mall in Orlando.

The parents and their son were sitting in the front seat, while 7-year-old Ariel, 2-year-old Kitty and 3-month old Arienne were in the back seat.

The older children were airlifted to Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in critical condition. They underwent surgery and are expected to make full recoveries.

The infant in the back seat, Arienne, was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with injuries not considered serious. She was released from the hospital and taken to Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital, where she is with her siblings and grandfather.

Officials said the baby was properly restrained in her car seat in the back seat of the car but the children and adults were not wearing seat belts.

At the vigil, neighbors like Grey, tried to make sense of how three children are now without parents.

"Think about the babies,” said Gray. “It goes out deeply because I have grandbabies."

While the family's neighbors said they are heartbroken by the deaths in the family.

"It was a shock when we knew about it," Carmen Whitney said. "Everybody just cried."

The neighbors described the family, known for their cookouts, as a very joyful bunch.

"They were a joy to be around every day," Crystal Stewart said. "It was unexplainable how joyful it was."

The same sentiment expressed at Tuesday night’s vigil.

"I know deep in my heart they are with God,” said Gray. “God, don't make no mistakes. They (are) at peace. They can sleep well and they have no more problems.

Neighbors told us that Justin Sim’s father is a pastor at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Dade City.

Right now, there’s no word on funeral arrangements.

As for the driver of the semi, Antonio Garcia of Tampa, 31, he was not injured.

The investigation is ongoing, and no charges are pending, officials said.