MOUNT VERNON — After a fatal crash two weeks ago that left a mother dead, and a father and two children severely injured, people have asked How can we help?
One church answered the call — the Apostolic Christian Church, located at 1635 Old Delaware Rd.
Pastor L.J. Harry heard about the crash from a friend of the O’Rourke family and the church’s police chaplain.
“It’s tragic,” Harry said. “I feel so sorry for him and the children.”
The crash occurred at approximately 6:47 p.m. on Aug. 1, according to the Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Vince G. Arthur, 36, of Rineyville, Kentucky, was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado southbound on State Route 661, near Airport Road in Miller Township. Samantha O’Rourke, 31, of Mount Vernon, was driving a 2014 Hyundai Elantra northbound on the same road.
According to the OSHP, Arthur “drove left of center and struck Mrs. O’Rourke’s vehicle head-on.”
Her vehicle was occupied by three passengers: Levi O’Rourke, 33, of Mount Vernon, and two juveniles.
Harry met with Levi O’Rourke a day or two before the fundraising campaign went live on the website on Aug. 10.
As of Monday afternoon, $728 in donations have been raised, Harry confirmed.
This is a first for the church, Harry said, noting it hasn’t organized a fundraising campaign for a family involved in a life-threatening accident before.
Though there isn’t a fundraising goal, Harry hopes the money will help pay for medical bills and used to rebuild the family’s lives.
The fundraising campaign will be open through August. Any one who’d like to donate can click on this link.
