Community organizes vigil, fundraiser for girl killed in motorcycle crash near Lawrence
Loved ones and community members are gathering Thursday night to remember the life of Brooklyn Brouhard, a 9-year-old girl killed in a motorcycle crash near Lawrence.
The vigil, planned for 7:30 p.m. at Eudora’s recreation center, will be a celebration of “an angel that was tragically taken far too soon,” according to the event description on Facebook.
Brooklyn was riding a motorcycle on Saturday with her grandfather when a van collided with them, killing the young girl, police said. The driver of the van then fled the scene.
The crash occurred along East 1900 Road and Kansas Highway 10 as the motorcycle was heading north on East 1900 Road around 5:15 p.m. Saturday, police said. The driver of the van pulled from a stop sign at the top of the ramp from eastbound K-10 and collided with the motorcycle, the sheriff’s office said.
The motorcycle overturned, and witnesses said the driver of the van fled the scene, continuing onto eastbound K-10, leaving a part of the van’s bumper behind.
54-year-old Barry Larson was driving the motorcycle and sustained injuries that were not life-threatening, police said. Brouhard was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, but later died.
As of Thursday morning, a GoFundMe created by family members garnered more than $18,000 in donations.
The online fundraiser, created by Brooklyn’s aunt and uncle, was created to help the girl’s parents cover the unexpected funeral expenses.
“The family would like to thank the community for all the prayers and support at this difficult time,” they wrote.
This story was originally published May 19, 2022 at 7:10 AM.
