NEED TO KNOW
- Annie Vu, 15, and Su Nguyen, 75, were killed in a car crash in Fairfax County, Virginia, on Thursday, Dec. 25
- Four others who were traveling alongside them were rushed to the hospital with “severe” injuries
- The driver who hit their vehicle was allegedly traveling at over 100 mph
A sophomore student and her grandmother are dead following a car crash in Virginia on Christmas Day.
On Thursday, Dec. 25, six members of the Vu family were on their way home from a holiday dinner when they were rear-ended by another vehicle on the Beltway in Fairfax County, NBC Washington reported, citing Virginia State Police.
Annie Vu, a 15-year-old student from Annandale High School, was killed alongside her 75-year-old grandmother, Su Nguyen. The four others who had been in their van were also rushed to the hospital.
“I don’t know how to, how to live,” said Annie’s mom, Duy Cao, per NBC Washington.
Virginia State Police Facebook
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Cao — who was driving the van at the time of the crash — said Annie’s brother Andy has also been struggling to cope with the loss. The 12-year-old was released from the hospital four days ago, according to the outlet.
A GoFundMe page set up in support of the Vu family states that Andy will require ongoing care as he sustained “serious brain injuries” in the incident.
“The family is in deep shock over the sudden and tragic loss of life and they are asking for your help to lighten the burden of this tragedy and allow Andy and his parents to focus on the long path of recovery ahead,” wrote fundraiser organizer Rachel Vu.
“No one should ever have to endure what the Vu family is going through and although the driver of the truck has apparently fled to avoid arrest, we’re committed to bringing them and all others responsible to justice,” Rachel added.
The Vu family alleges police told them that the vehicle that hit their van was driving at over 100 miles per hour. Virginia State Police have not yet released the driver’s name or any charges.
Prosecutors are reportedly waiting for the results of a toxicology test to determine any charges, NBC Washington reported.
GoFundMe
Nguyen was a devout Catholic who helped Duy Cao and her husband, An Vu, with the children as they worked, per the outlet. Annie had hopes of studying biology and pursuing a career in the healthcare industry.
Annandale High School shared a link to the GoFundMe on Facebook alongside a tribute.
“Last week, on Christmas day, we tragically lost a member of our community, Annie Vu, a Sophomore at Annandale HS, to a reckless and intoxicated driver,” the tribute alleges. “Annie was a dedicated, bright, and hard-working student who left a lasting impression on all around her,” it continues.
“Her family is working through the unimaginable loss of their daughter and grandmother and the severe injuries of the 4 other family members who were in the car. They have set up a fund to help support the parents with the funeral expenses, medical bills and ongoing care of Annie’s brother who suffered life-altering injuries.
“Please consider supporting them during this difficult time,” the tribute concludes.
The Vu family has surpassed their initial $20,000 goal for the fundraiser. They are now fighting for the person who hit their vehicle to face involuntary manslaughter charges rather than just misdemeanor charges, per NBC Washington
“I want everybody to pray for my mother-in-law and for my daughter so they can, you know, in heaven,” An Vu told the outlet.
Virginia State Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Tuesday, Jan.6.
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