Humble ISD school plants magnolia tree for Zion Branch after dea

Family of Zion Branch, killed in Nothing Bundt Cakes crash, hires attorney Ben CrumpThe family of Zion Branch, a 19-year-old Nothing Bundt Cakes employee killed when a vehicle crashed into a storefront, have retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump to search for answers on what led to Branch's death, they said during a Tuesday news conference. 
Branch died last Tuesday afternoon when a truck crashed into the bakery shop's Atascocita storefront. Four others were injured. Branch's family said they only learned that Branch had died around 5 p.m., when the crash had occurred at 3 p.m. They have not filed a lawsuit. 
The family said they are planning Branch's funeral,
but did not share details at the news conference. 
Crump and co-counsel Sam Taylor of the Lanier Law Firm joined Branch's family at the conference at the law firm.
The driver told officers that his foot slipped off the brake and pressed the accelerator as he attempted to park in front of the store, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.Branch's family and the lawyers are waiting to see if first responders conducted a toxicology report on the driver. The driver has not been cited and the incident is still under investigation. "We don't have all the answers yet but we will find them," Taylor said.Carol Roberson, Branch's grandmother, said during the news conference that officers did not immediately share information about Branch's whereabouts and told her family to "calm down." Branch had worked at the bakery for about three months, said her mother, Karamell Brown.Brown said Branch has loved baking since she was five years old and knew that she eventually wanted to open her own bakery. Brown said Branch had an art book where she detailed what the bakery would look like. Her favorite treat to bake was cupcakes, or really, "anything she could put butter in," Brown said.
"She had her own set of stuff she used in the kitchen. Her own specific cupcake pans and mixer bowls that were just for her," Brown said.Beyond baking, Branch was a stellar student, Brown said. She had obtained an associate degree while enrolled in high school and was recently accepted to the University of Houston-Downtown, where she planned to pursue a finance degree. She also designed her own clothing, volunteered with special education children at an elementary school and had a close relationship with her sister, Zara, who is a year younger. Brown, a single mother, said she could rely on Branch for anything."Anybody that's reached out to me since the tragedy has happened, it's all good stories: from her friends, the people at the school, the community about where she works at, any of the employees that had encountered her, her Uber drivers," Brown said. "Anyone who has encountered Zion has felt a pleasantry. She was a really bright light."Every morning, Brown popped by Branch's room, asked if she slept ok, and the two would discuss what the day looked like - what time Branch needed to go to school, and later her work schedule. Brown said Branch, her firstborn, knew exactly what she wanted in life."She was the true essence of what a person would want out of a daughter," Brown said. "I felt like she was cheated. I wish I could give her those chances because she looked forward to it."www.houstonchronicle .com/news/houston-te xas/trending/article /nothing-bundt-

Mother of teen killed in Nothing Bundt Cakes crash pledges to open bakery on daughter's behalf
Zion Branch dreamed of owning her own bakery. After the 19-year-old was killed Tuesday when a car drove into the Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery shop where she worked, her mother pledged to open a bakery on Branch's behalf."Rest assured that mama will see all of your plans in life through, including Zion's cupcake and bakery," a GoFundMe post for Branch reads.The GoFundMe, which had raised more than $26,000 as of Friday morning, will cover funeral expenses and help start the bakery Branch dreamed of opening herself, according to the post.Branch was a May 2025 graduate of Guy M. Sconzo Early College High School, and a post on the school's Facebook account said she dreamed of earning a degree in finance. She was set to attend the University of Houston-Downtown in the fall."To those who knew her best, she was an incredible daughter, the most amazing older sister, and someone whose greatest joy was loving and caring for her family," the Facebook post reads.The GoFundMe post said Branch was the best older sister and that her family will miss her tremendously. And on Facebook, Branch's mother Karamell Brown called her daughter's death a nightmare she couldn't wake up from.
"My Zion, my first born, my biggest supporter, my greatest achiever, Mommy don't know what to do now," Brown wrote.Comments on Brown's post included more than 200 memories of Branch, condolences and prayers."Omg this sweet sweet little girl I got to meet when I was in my younger 20s full of life and spirit, a beautiful great big sister full of life," Tiffa Teef commented. "Seeing this post just makes tears pour from my eyes in disbelief"www.houstonchronicle .com/news/houston-te xas/trending/article /crash-nothing-

She is almost there! ❤️www.gofundme.com/f/c elebrating-zions-lif e-dreams

I had no idea they hired an attorney but if alcohol had anything to do with it….I don't blame them! I would think…it would be known by now! Maybe not!