The Clayton community is rallying around a family whose 8 year-old daughter was killed in a tragic car accident Wednesday morning on Highway 42 East.
8 year-old Lucy Hutchins was riding in the back seat of her father’s black Toyota SUV. Her father ran off the roadway on the right to avoid hitting the back of a car that had stopped for traffic. The SUV went down a steep embankment and overturned. Lucy died at WakeMed from her injuries about 90 minutes after the accident.
The father, Douglas Hutchins, was injured and remains hospitalized along with Lucy’s older sister, 11 year-old Ella Hutchins.
Lucy attended River Dell Elementary School where grief counselors have been on hand to talk with her classmates about her death.
“At this time, the Principal and staff are working hard to process their grief with assistance from counselors and social workers,” according to Crystal Roberts, Chief of Communications for Johnston County Schools. “Parent volunteers, community members, and pastors have stepped forward to offer their assistance when needed. A memorial activity in celebration of Lucy’s life will be discussed but has not yet been confirmed. Our grief counselors will remain on hand until further notice.”
The community has also established a GoFundMe Page to assist the family with medical expenses as Douglas and Ella continue to recover from the accident.
