A head-on collision killed the drivers of both vehicles over the weekend, including a young woman and the baby she was carrying.
While police continue to investigate, the community has come together to help out the family of 27-year-old Alisa Hardy Orton, who lost her life in the crash.Â
A local business wanted to do more than just express their sympathy to the grieving family. Sippee's in Midtown has been collecting donations for the young girl who lost her mother. And family friends have been raising money on a GoFundMe page.Â
"It was just such a shock," said Ed Gillig, a family friend of the Hardy and Orton families.Â
On Friday, Alisa Hardy Orton was driving on Somersett Parkway, when another driver came into on-coming traffic, hitting her car, killing everyone involved. She leaves behind her husband Taylor Orton and their daughter Emmeline.
"At two and a half, you just really hope that she can remember her mom years from now. I think that's something as a family and as friends, we're going to everything in our power to make sure she does," said Gillig.Â
According to a Gillig, Alisa did not have life insurance. So to ease the burden of finances, a GoFundMe page has been set up. Just in the last two days, it has raised more than $85,000.
"How quickly the community has responded has been phenomenal," said Gillig.Â
But that's not all. Terri Hull, the owner of Sippee's, a children store in Midtown, wanted to make a difference too.Â
"I'm a mother myself and it's just unthinkable. It's a horrible tragedy," said Hull.Â
She has been collecting donations for the little girl.
"I thought, what a great memory for her to have, just bringing a little bit of goodness out of badness and just having the community flood her with love and cards and gifts. Just wrap our arms around her and give her a big hug," said Hull.Â
Police say they are doing their part by investigating what happened that night.
Officer Tim Broadway, with the Reno Police Department said, "It could possibly be easy for someone to get confused at that four way stop by the fire station."
The crash happened around midnight on Friday night, on Somersett Parkway, going east towards Mae Ann Avenue.Â
With no lighting along the road, officers say it could have been a factor leading to the crash.Â
"We will be working with the Somersett community to do some engineering and some education in that area, to possibly get some more lights," said Broadway.Â
Police say they have identified the other driver as 47-year-old Christopher Gonzalez from New Mexico, and they are still determining whether alcohol or drugs were involved.Â
Meanwhile, several people have left flowers to honor the lives lost. But family friends hope the community will continue to show their support.Â
Gillig adds, "If we can do that for Taylor and his little girl, right now, I think there's no better way to honor Alisa's memory."
Taylor Orton released this statement on Facebook, "It is with a broken heart I must report that my beautiful wife Alisa Hardy Orton and our unborn daughter Ellis Elizabeth Hardy Orton were killed in a car accident over the weekend. Emmeline and I are grateful and overwhelmed with the love we have felt from both people we love and those we have not yet met."
The Orton's will have a viewing Friday, August 12 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the LDS church located at 2050 Robb Drive in Reno. Funeral Services will be held at the LDS church at 2505 Kings Row in Reno on Saturday, August 13 at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 a.m.Â
"Emmeline and I would appreciate hearing stories of Alisa. If you have pictures or memories you would be willing to share please post them to Alisa's Facebook wall," said Orton.Â
Sippee's in Midtown will continue to accept donations for the next two weeks at their store.
GoFundMe Page for Taylor and Alisa Orton:Â https://www.gofundme.com/2jwcgwec
