Family launches GoFundMe for semi driver killed in Bradenton hit-and-run crash
After the driver of a tractor-trailer died in Monday’s fatal Interstate 75 rollover crash, his family has started a GoFundMe to raise money for his funeral and other expenses.
Stavan Albert Facey, also known as Owen, died in the collision, which happened at 6:28 a.m. on Monday near Exit 220 in Bradenton after a Ford Mustang weaved through traffic and hit an SUV, sending the vehicle colliding with the cab of the tractor-trailer, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The 34-year-old man from New Smyrna had two children, both under the age of three, and his partner, Kimberly Johnson, has started a fundraiser to ask for money to help with the “emotional and financial weight of this loss,” the GoFundMe description says.
“In an instant, I went from sharing the responsibilities of raising our family to carrying everything on my own,” Johnson wrote in the description.
Family reacts to fatal Bradenton crash
Johnson said she and their daughter, who is two and a half years old, called Facey the night before to speak with him before going to bed. She said she was woken up to a call from Facey’s cousin, who was driving another tractor-trailer behind Facey’s and saw the entire collision.
“He called me at 6:30 and was like, ‘Kim, it’s bad,’” Johnson said.
“My mind is like shutting down… It’s listening, but not understanding,” Johnson continued.
Johnson said “it’s going to be a lot” for her to have to explain to her daughter that she can’t talk to or see her dad anymore.
“I just hope that that young boy, 18, I hope he gets what he deserves. And I hope the court doesn’t take this lightly, because they need to start making people learn their lessons,” Johnson said.
Johnson described Facey as someone who could make people laugh, and said that he was “always joking and having a good time.”
“That’s just who he was. Like, he literally was the best person anyone could ever meet,” Johnson said.
The funds raised are to be used for daily living expenses, childcare and Facey’s funeral, the GoFundMe says.
The fundraiser has raised nearly $3,600 of its $10,000 goal as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Jonathan Matos Morales, an 18-year-old from Cocoa, Florida, late Monday, according to a news release. He is charged with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash involving death, according to the sheriff’s office.
“I hope that, hope that young man, he just understands what he did now,” Johnson said. “It’s just sad. I can’t do nothing, and it’s sad.”
