Community Mourns Pedestrian Crash Victim
A Delaware family grieving the loss of their daughter struck and killed by a car last week is now in the painful process of preparing for her funeral, but they are not alone.
Friday marks one week since Laura and Michael Mallow tragically lost their daughter Brittany Ford in a fatal pedestrian crash. The family tells us she was walking into the street, when a car pulled up to their house hidden by a line of trees.
The impact critically injured the 17 year-old.
Laura — Brittany’s mother — an E-M-T and volunteer at Bower’s Fire Company — heard the emergency call come in. The driver of the was a friend of Brittany’s, and one of the passengers was her younger sister.
“She was completely devastated. She just kept screaming, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Says Laura.
Even in their darkest days, the family is moving forward but not without overwhelming support from the community. On Sunday, 24 fire & EMS companies statewide helped escort the teen from A-I DuPont in Wilmington to the Faries funeral home in Smyrna.
She’ll be laid to rest on Friday.
The 40-mile show of solidarity was orchestrated by the Bowers Fire Company, where Brittany also served as a volunteer firefighter.
Fire chief Phillip Pennington, Sr. treated her as if she were one his own.
“I have children of my own and to be quite honest with you, it’s just like losing a loved one of your personal family.” Explains Chief Pennington.
As the pile of cards sent to the family grows, so has the “Go Fund Me” account set up by the Bowers Fire Company. Some of the funds will be used for funeral costs.
Even if it’s not enough, Laura says the gesture itself is priceless.
Brittany’s parents tell 47 ABC she wanted to be a firefighter and dedicate her life to saving lives. It appears that wish will be fulfilled, since her family donated her organs through the Gift Of Life program.
“This was her thing, this was her life. And…the gift of life that she was able to do…I mean that just…she was a true hero. She’s just a true hero.” Says Michael.
If you would like to donate to their GoFundMe site, please click here.
