Crime & Safety
Memorial Fund Launches for 'Sweet Little Man' Killed in Sunday Crash in Napa
Nearly $8,000 is raised -- in less than 24 hours -- for the family who tragically lost Lakai Kirk, 4.
A memorial fund is underway for the family of the little boy killed Sunday in a collision on Highway 121 in Napa, with nearly $8,000 raised in less than 24 hours.
"Sweet little man" Lakai Kirk, age 4, passed away following a two-vehicle collision at 3:30 p.m. on state Highway 121 south of Duhig Road near Napa.
The crash also injured Lakai's mother, Ariel Kirk, 25, a friend Flavio Castellanos, 23, of Napa, and two in the other car, restaurateur Cynthia Pawlcyn, 58, and her husband John Watanabe, 66, of St. Helena.
The Lakai Kirk Memorial Fund, created by Victor Castro, is on a GoFundMe site.
To date, $7,943 was raised from 169 donors in 21 hours toward the fund's $10,000 goal, according to the most recent posting. The effort has 1,200 "shares" on Facebook.
Castro writes:
"Hello everybody,
As you may know already the world lost a sweet little man on 4/6/14.
He and and his mother definitely held a special spot in my heart, as i'm sure in all your hearts, as well.
I'm not asking for much but just a little help so we can make this process a little bit easier for the parties involved ... Any donation is welcomed and appreciated and will go directly to the family.
God bless you all, and remember to count your blessings and say your "I love Yous" because we never really know what life has in store."
Click here to view and/or contribute to the Lakai Kirk Memorial Fund.
Four-year-old Lakai was given first aid at the scene of the accident and flown by the Sonoma County sheriff's helicopter to Queen of the Valley Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Hi mother suffered major injuries in the collision and was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Castellanos suffered major injuries, as well, and was taken to the Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa.
Pawlcyn and Watanabe's injuries were listed as moderate and minor, respectively, and both were treated at Queen of the Valley, CHP said.
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