The Village of Duchess is in mourning after a fatal collision in the United States claimed two of their own over the weekend. Kyle, Darsey and Koye Larson from Duchess of Alberta were driving through South Dakota to pick up some bulls they recently acquired when tragedy struck. The family was traveling on Highway 18 just east of Colome, South Dakota on the morning of July 3rd. They were pulling a trailer of cattle when police said their truck was hit head-on by another pickup that went over the center line. Everyone in Larson’s vehicle was wearing a seat belt, but the impact of the crash was devastating for the family. Darsey, 40, and her son Koye, 14, died in hospital. Kyle was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital where he remains with life-threatening injuries. Three people in the other vehicle suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries, while a fourth suffered minor injuries. Charges are pending against 33-year-old Justin Hurtado of Winner, South Dakota, the driver of the pickup.
TABER GOLDEN SUN
Koye played hockey for the Taber Golden Suns U15 team and the organization says his spirit will be sorely missed.
Koye played hockey for the Taber Golden Suns U15 team and a spokesperson for the organization said his spirit will be greatly missed.
“He was full of wit,” said Kevin Serfas, president of the Golden Suns’ athletic association.
“He was the kid who got everyone going in the locker room — he gave the coach a laugh, maybe a headache every once in a while, but (he) really enjoyed being there and being part of the team. “
Darsey is remembered as an incredible hockey mom and an amazing woman loved by many.
Darsey is remembered as an incredible hockey mom and an amazing woman loved by many.
“What kept coming up was the fact that she was really, really full of life,” Serfas added.
“If you go on some of the tributes on Facebook and the things that are going on, you’ll see the same comment coming from hundreds of people.”
A crowdfunding effort is now underway to raise $150,000 to help the family bring Kyle home to their daughter Sage, who was left behind, as well as the bodies of Darsey and Koye.
Buck Christman, one of the auction organizers, says they’re not sure if the family had travel insurance, which could lead to crippling medical bills.
In an email to CTV News, Christman said “We have had an overwhelming response from the community as well as many others and are extremely grateful for all the support for the family.”
So far, nearly $20,000 has been raised through GoFundMe.
To give to Larson’s you can visit the GoFundMe set up.
You can also go to the Larson Family Benefit Auction on Facebook to either bid or put something in yourself.
The benefit auction runs until July 17.
