SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Carlos community is rallying around the family of a 12-year-old boy who was killed in a tragic accident on his way to school.
A candlelight vigil was held Tuesday night in Andrew Olsen’s honor at Saint Andrews Lutheran Church, where dozens gathered to grieve the loss.
Olsen was killed and his two sisters, also 12, were injured Monday morning when they were hit by a car while walking to Pershing Middle School.
The crash happened near Lake Badin Avenue and Jackson Drive, leaving the San Carlos neighborhood heartbroken.
“We’re all in shock,” said family friend James Elmore, who’s known the family a couple of years.
After growing used to Andrew, his three siblings, and their parents living in his home since summer, the loss is devastating.
“He was always happy. Whenever I came into the house, he would always run to me and give me a big hug and so happy to see people and always a smile,” said Elmore as he fought back tears.
With kind words and candlelight, those who knew Andrew and those who didn’t honored him.
“The memorial that is set up where the accident happened is just a block from our home, it’s on our loop where we walk our dog every night and so it just feels very close to home for us,” said Rev. Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun, a pastor at Saint Andrew’s Lutheran Church.
Her daughter goes to the same school Andrew attended, and she explained that having a vigil for him offers comfort to all.
“This is a time where they need people around them praying for them. We don’t know the right words ever when there’s loss, but we can pray for them,” said Kathryn Cook, a longtime community member.
Through shared sorrow and support, the community is keeping Andrew’s memory alive and helping his family heal.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family through this difficult time and the church also collected offerings for the family during Tuesday night’s service.
