A 20-year-old woman from Hope was killed in a single-vehicle crash last Friday in Oregon.
State police say a 2009 Pontiac four-door car driven by Brandon Goeders, 20, from Port Moody was travelling eastbound at about 5:45 a.m. on Interstate 84 near milepost 294, between North Powder and Baker City, when it travelled onto the left shoulder. Goeders said he fell asleep and over-corrected to the right, causing the car to roll on the pavement and off the freeway.
Janelle Ceclia Lawlor, who was in the rear passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. Goeders and three other female passengers were transported by ambulance to hospital in Baker City with non-life threatening injuries.
Police say all five were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash and were on route to a conference in Utah. There is no evidence drugs or alcohol were contributing factors in the crash.
Messages from friends and family continue to be added to the Facebook page "In Loving Memory of Janelle Cecilia Lawlor." Among the messages are memories and stories explaining the impact Lawlor had on those around her.
"She is one of the most wonderful, experimental, risk free, adventurous girls and everyone and anyone who knew her, absolutely knows how much of a saint she was," said Paige. "Janelle I love you so much and no one will ever understand the connection we had, you're in a better place, in God's hands, and although you're not with us, I know you'll be watching over."
A fundraising page was set up Sunday to help cover the $15,000 cost of having Lawlor's body transported back to B.C. More than $20,000 was raised within one day, which included a $1,717 anonymous donation. Donations can still be made at www.gofundme.com/fft7os to help Lawlor's family with travel and funeral expenses.