O’FALLON, Mo. – The O’Fallon, Missouri, community continues to mourn the loss of a 9-year-old girl who was struck and killed by a school bus. Now, the community is coming together to show support for the victim’s family following the tragic loss.
A make-shift memorial continues to grow near Lupine and Snowbird courts, where the girl was struck by the school bus. People have stopped by all day, bringing stuffed animals and flowers in honor of the victim.
Business owner and neighbor Ryan Coffman organized a fundraiser with the goal of raising $25,000 for the grieving family.
“I just felt drawn to the situation. I have three kids as well and just felt the desire, the need to help as much as I could, he said.
Coffman is calling on the O’Fallon community to lend a helping hand.
“To raise funds in order for them be able to grieve in peace without thinking of any kind of financial hardships or burdens that they still have to carry on with,” he said. “So, I just figured that the best way to help in that situation…was to raise much money as possible.”
Coffman said he’s reached out to the victim’s family, who were moved by the kind gesture.
“They were really touched and felt very appreciative that the community had come together in order to help support the situation that unfortunately came about,” he said.
The bus driver is cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues.