Crime & Safety
Memorial Fund for 5 Year Old Killed by Car Raises $14,580 in One Day
Jessica Millen and Sara Gordon started a memorial fund for the Highland Park 5-year-old girl who was killed when a car drove onto the sidewalk on Central Avenue on Labor Day. Hours later, the fund had far surpassed its initial goal of $3,000.
PTO co-presidents Jessica Millen and Sara Gordon set up a memorial fund Tuesday to raise money for the family of Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento, who
In only a few hours, the memorial fund raised $3,550. About 260 people had donated as of midnight on Tuesday, with some donating as much as $500. The total amount raised as of Tuesday night was $14,580.
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"I'm not surprised by the Highland Park community in the least," Millen said. "I'm really honored to be a part of a community that really steps up."
Sacramento was with her 25-year-old mother and her 4-year-old and 2-year-old brothers when a car jumped the curb on the north side of the 700 block of Central Avenue and plowed into them, according to a news release issued by the . Sacramento was taken to Evanston Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 5 p.m. Her mother remains in "fair but stable condition" at . Her brothers are expected to be treated and released, according to The Highland Park News.
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Millen and Gordon decided to start the memorial fund after hearing the tragic news on Monday night.
"We decided this would be a great way for our community to support the family during this horrible time," Millen said.
The driver of the vehicle was an 18-year-old Highland Park resident who's name has not yet been released. She was the lone occupant of the vehicle and was transported to Highland Park Hospital, where she was treated and released, according to the Highland Park Police Department. Preliminary investigation indicates that the car, a Lexus coupe, was heading eastbound on Central when it crossed the westbound lanes, left the roadway and struck the four pedestrians as they walked westbound on the sidewalk.
"Investigating officials are continuing to process the vehicle for evidence and determine if impairment of the driver was a factor in the crash," reports the release issued by the police department.
No charges have been filed.
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