'An impossible void in our lives': Sidney Olson's family calls for change after 5-year-old's death in Andover crash
5/13 UPDATE: Olson's family has started a scholarship fund for kids in Sidney's name.
ANDOVER - The family of Sidney Olson, the 5-year-old girl who was killed by a truck in Andover, said the tragedy has left "an impossible void in our lives."
In their first statement since the tragedy, her family said Sidney was walking to an art class with a relative on Elm Street Tuesday, had the "walk" signal and thought it was safe to cross when she was hit by a tractor-trailer. The driver stopped and has been cooperating with police.
"As long-time residents of the neighborhood, we've followed that route hundreds of times before. The rest was a blur, and Sidney was struck by a truck and killed, leaving an impossible void in our lives," Eric, Mary Beth, Sidney, and Ellis Olson said in their statement Thursday.
"Sidney was a bright-eyed, energetic girl with springy curls. She was in the Springboard to Kindergarten program at SHED school in Andover, where she was known for her soft-spoken curiosity, and her budding ability to deescalate conflict and find common ground in groups."
"She was fiercely creative, styling her own outfits, choreographing elaborate performances, and filling our home with her unique brand of abstract art, unlike anything we've seen. She picked flowers everywhere she went, often plucking a rose from the garden in front of Enterprise Bank, despite her parents' objections. She memorized every lyric to a dozen Taylor Swift songs, gladly taking the microphone to sing along in crowded karaoke sessions," the Olsens wrote.
"She was an explorer, whether she was roaming the mountains near our Warren, Vermont home in search of porcupine tracks, or circling the New England Aquarium, sea life book in tow, circling her favorites from splashy stingrays to the sleepy octopus.
"For her last birthday, she wanted a rainbow theme because 'it includes everyone's favorite color.' "
The family also called for changes at the intersection of Elm and Main streets.
"Our greatest hope is that Sidney's boundless love for everyone encourages others to look out for the common good of our community following this tragedy. This intersection has long been considered dangerous. While we're not engineers, we also know our community can do better. We hope the town makes fast changes to that and other high-traffic intersections so no one has to experience the pain we feel right now."
Thursday night, a heartbroken Andover community came together at South Church to pray and show the family love.
"Everyone is grieving right now. I'm a mom myself, so I can't even imagine what the family is really going through right now," said Kristin Lummus, who attended the vigil to support the family. "I really hope that it just won't be today tomorrow, or next week but that people will continue to rally around this family give them the support that they need."
"I'm crushed right now to be honest with you. I can't believe it," said Lanshan Cao who attended the vigil.
The community agrees that changes need to happen at the intersection.
City officials say even before the tragedy, safety measures have been in the works. Just last week, voters approved funding for a traffic study at the Elm Square Intersection to see what needs to change immediately.
"That whole Elm Street area has been problematic, and I know the town has taken some measures to try and improve things but clearly after this there's a lot more work to be done," said Lummus.
In the meantime, investigators said they are working to determine the functionality of the traffic signals and crosswalk lights. They'll investigate how fast the tractor trailer driver was going, and the driver's conduct.
"On behalf of the Town of Andover, I express our sincere condolences to the family of the child whose life was tragically cut short," said Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan. "We share in the grief that has been expressed by members of our community over the past twenty-four hours."
