GoFundMe created for 12-year-old who died after being hit by Jeep in northwest Wichita
Family and friends are reeling after a 12-year-old girl died Saturday after being struck by a vehicle in northwest Wichita.
A GoFundMe fundraiser created Sunday by family identified the girl as Esamay Heese. Wichita police spokesperson Andrew Ford also confirmed the crash victim was Heese.
Wichita police responded at 5:40 p.m. to a crash in the 7000 block of West 13th Street. They arrived and found Heese had been struck by a Jeep SUV heading west on 13th. She was taken to a local hospital where she died, police said Sunday.
Police have not released additional details on the circumstances behind the crash, but said the driver stopped and is cooperating with the investigation.
Heese was accompanied by her sister, Lydia, according to the fundraiser.
“The two sisters were extremely close,” the GoFundMe said. “One cannot even imagine the trauma that will follow Lydia for years to come and the family wants to remind people to keep her in your thoughts as well.”
Heese was known for being incredibly outgoing, charismatic and funny. She was a student at Wilbur Middle School, a USD 259 official said Monday.
“She was a little girl with an incredibly big heart who loved animals, adventures, shopping and being an overall goofball,” the GoFundMe said. “She deeply treasured all of her friendships and and some of her strongest friendships with her siblings.”
Police are asking anyone with information on the crash to call WPD detectives at 316-268-4407 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
“The loss of Esamay has had a huge impact on all of her family members and left a void that may never be filled,” family said.
A GoFundMe was created to help pay for funeral arrangements. The fundraiser can be accessed by clicking here.
This story was originally published October 21, 2024 at 5:38 PM.