Ann Curry Speaks with Hance Parents on Tragic Loss of 3 Daughters Today

In an exclusive interview with NBC News' Ann Curry, Jackie and Warren Hance sit down for the first time to talk about moving forward after an unthinkable tragedy struck their beautiful family. The Hance's three daughters were killed in a horrific car accident when the girls' aunt drove the wrong way on the Taconic Parkway, killing herself and her own daughter. Chronicled in Jackie Hance's new book, I'll See You Again, Hance talks candidly for the first time about that fateful day in July 2009.

Hance opens up to Curry about how the trauma threatened her marriage; how she considered suicide, but how the love for her husband, forming the Hance Family Foundation, in honor of their three remarkable daughters, and the birth of a new baby helped them survive.

The emotional interview will air today, April 19th on "Today" and later on "Rock Center with BrIan Williams" at 10p/9c.

Sound bites from the interview follow. If used, must include mandatory credit with air date and time: "Rock Center with BrIan Williams," today, April 19 at 10p/9c.

JACKIE HANCE:
I'm their mom. And supposed to, you know, protect them, and I didn't. It's just hard not to blame yourself.

Ann Curry:
You expected Diane to protect your kids?

JACKIE HANCE:
Uh, huh

Ann Curry:
And now you're blaming yourself?

JACKIE HANCE:
I'm not blaming myself for the accident. I'm blaming myself for them not being here. You know, it's just - they're not here. And I'm their mom.

Ann Curry:
In the book, you talk about these really huge arguments with your husband. So raw and so emotional. And yet, you two held onto each other as much as you fought.

JACKIE HANCE:
Yea. I know - I know that. And he's a really strong person. You know, I love him. And, I'm sorry for him.

Ann Curry:
You're sorry for his suffering, you mean?

JACKIE HANCE:
I would do anything not to see him in pain.

JACKIE HANCE:
My greatest desire is for people to know them (her daughters) that never got to know them. And maybe, like, Alyson's art teacher - future art teacher, Emma's future mother-in-law, or Katie's future college roommate, you know, or somebody who didn't get the chance to meet them might meet them through the book.

Don Nash is the executive producer of "Today" (Mon. - Fri. 7-11am). David Corvo is the senior executive producer, Alexandra Wallace is the executive producer and BrIan Williams is the anchor and managing editor of "Rock Center with BrIan Williams" (Fridays 10p/9c).

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