The Santa Monica Firefighters Assn. has started a fund to assist the Las Vegas family of a 2-year-old boy who was killed Friday in a big rig crash in the McClure Tunnel of the Santa Monica (10) Freeway.
The Looney family was traveling westbound in a minivan at about 12:30 p.m. when a truck approaching a curve at a high rate of speed skidded and crossed lanes, sideswiping the minivan and rear-ending another truck, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Noah Looney was killed during the crash and his 17-year-old brother suffered a serious neck fracture. Three other siblings ages 4, 12 and 15 escaped serious injury.
The wreck shut down the tunnel for six hours.
“It was a horrific accident that affected everyone at the station. When we found out that they were from out of town and that this was their first time coming to California — they had wanted to see the ocean — we decided that we had to do something to help them out,” Santa Monica Battalion Chief Mark Bridges said.
On Saturday the firefighters donated $1,000 to a fund that was established for the family and on Sunday Bridges presented the family with an additional $500 check at a hospital where the 17-year-old is being treated.
Contributions to the Looney Family Fund can be mailed to the Santa Monica Firefighters Assn. – Looney Family, 222 Hollister Ave., Santa Monica 90405.
