Community Remembers 8-Year-Old Hit By Car While Riding Bike
ALBERT LEA, Minn. (WCCO) -- A day after an 8-year-old girl died after being hit by a car while riding her bike, a holiday weekend parade went on as planned in Albert Lea on Sunday evening.
Sophie Stultz was hit by an SUV at Frank Hall Drive and East 8th Street Saturday morning. She was transported to the hospital and later died from injuries she received in the crash.
Many people said they were thinking of the Stultz family during this difficult time.
Shari Staude, who was watching the parade, works at the Albert Lea Tribune alongside Sophie's mother Sarah Stultz.
"It just hits close to home. Kind of hurts that you know this person, that they're going through all this pain," Staude said.
The Stultz family released a statement about Sophie:
"We are deeply saddened at the loss of our little girl and are relying on our faith, family, friends and the community for strength in moving forward at this time. Sophie was a special girl who could light up the room with her smile. She has been and will continue to be a shining light in our lives and in the lives of many others. We thank those who influenced her for good during her life."
A family friend's fundraising website raised more than $11,000 for them in less than a day to help with funeral costs.
Albert Lea police are not yet saying what led up to the SUV hitting Sophie.
