Fundraiser for Monroe County crash victims exceeds $200,000 in donations

Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·2 min read
1

An online fundraiser organized through GoFundMe for medical and funeral expenses for one of the many families injured in what authorities said was a drunken driving crash Saturday at a child’s boat club birthday party has raised more than $200,000.

Mariah Dodds is seen in a old photo with her children, "J.P.," Alanah Phillips and Zayn Phillips.
Mariah Dodds is seen in a old photo with her children, "J.P.," Alanah Phillips and Zayn Phillips.

In amounts ranging from $10 to $5,000, thousands of donors have contributed since the fundraiser was organized by Diane Harrington, who, in her fundraising message, identified herself as the aunt of the two young children, a brother and sister, killed in the crash.

"My sister and her family have lost their two babies to a drunk driver," Harrington wrote. "Mom (Mariah) and oldest brother (Jayden) are still in critical condition at this time. Monies raised will help give Lana age 8 and Zayn age 5 a proper funeral and burial service. Left over monies will help the family with housing and medical expenses."

More: Driver in Monroe County boat club crash faces 8 counts, including 2nd-degree homicide

More: Mom of siblings killed in Monroe County boat club crash sues suspect, tavern

Flowers were left at the scene April 21, 2024, where a driver smashed through a wall at the Swan Boat Club during a child’s birthday party in Newport.
Flowers were left at the scene April 21, 2024, where a driver smashed through a wall at the Swan Boat Club during a child’s birthday party in Newport.

Harrington added that services will be announced later.

The Free Press sent a message to Harrington through the fundraising app.

Officials confirmed the names on Monday of the young siblings who were killed — Alanah and Zayn Phillips — two others in critical condition, including an 11-year-old boy and a 31-year-old woman, and three more in serious condition, a 14-year-old boy, 16-year-old girl, and an 18-year-old woman.

As of Tuesday morning, the donation tally had exceeded the goal, with more pouring in.

More: Child, woman in critical condition in aftermath of Monroe County boat club crash

In an update, Harrington wrote: "Jayden had a long surgery yesterday and will have quite the recovery ahead of him, but he is awake and in the comfort of his family. Mariah is now awake and also has a long recovery ahead of her."

She also asked for prayers "as the family navigates through this tough time."

A memorial is set at the Swan Boat Club in Newport on Monday, April 22, 2024, where a woman is accused in the tragedy that killed two young siblings and injured about a dozen others attending a birthday party at the Swan Boat Club in Monroe County this weekend.
A memorial is set at the Swan Boat Club in Newport on Monday, April 22, 2024, where a woman is accused in the tragedy that killed two young siblings and injured about a dozen others attending a birthday party at the Swan Boat Club in Monroe County this weekend.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: GoFundMe donations for family in Monroe Co. boat club crash tops $200K