In less than 24 hours, a fundraiser set up for the family of a Buford High School student-athlete who was killed in a car wreck Monday night had raised more than $22,000.
The amount was nearly 90% of the fundraiser’s stated goal of $25,000, and the family of 16-year-old Aaron Kirkland has already committed to donating a portion of the money raised in his honor.
Credit: Buford High School
Credit: Buford High School
Kirkland, a junior on the Buford wrestling team, was fatally injured in the crash just before 9 p.m., Gwinnett County police spokeswoman Officer Hideshi Valle told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The wreck took place near the intersection of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Little Mill Road, but police have not released any other details.
Kirkland’s death was announced Tuesday morning by the Buford wrestling team on social media. According to the GoFundMe page set up in Kirkland’s honor, he died three days before his 17th birthday.
“The Buford wrestling family is hurting today at the loss of one of our wrestlers,” the team wrote on Facebook. “Aaron Kirkland, a junior, passed away last night in a tragic accident. He placed 4th in state last year at 195lb. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family. Please keep his family and our wrestling family in your thoughts.”
Our thought and prayers go out to the Kirkland family and everyone involved in our program. One of our family was fatally injured in a car accident last night. Aaron Kirkland was a junior. He placed 4th in state last year. He was loved and will be missed by all. pic.twitter.com/bMLRihwYdZ
— Buford Wrestling (@bufordwrestling) October 5, 2021
Kirkland’s cousin, Abigail Kirkland, set up the GoFundMe fundraiser on behalf of Aaron’s parents, she wrote on the page. A portion of the funds will be used to help pay for a memorial service.
“He had a wonderful spirit, kind heart, and he was amazing at sports,” Abigail wrote about her cousin. “Aaron will never be forgotten and he is in a better place with our Heavenly Father now.”
In an update posted to the page later, a note signed by the Kirkland family read, “We would just like to thank everyone so far for your donations. Our family has thought of doing something to honor Aaron. We are looking to donate some of this money to a scholarship or a youth group that he loved. Thank you.”
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
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