Fund established for family of 2-year-old killed in Santa Monica crash

Firefighters have established a fund to assist a Las Vegas family whose toddler was killed in a collision Friday in McClure Tunnel in Santa Monica.

Two adults and five children in the Looney family were on their way to the beach when a dump truck struck their minivan from behind and rammed it into a big rig, said Battalion Chief Mark Bridges of the Santa Monica Fire Department.

Two-year-old Noah Looney died in the accident, and Jeremiah Looney, 17, was airlifted to a hospital with a serious neck injury, Bridges said.

Several other family members suffered minor to moderate injuries in the crash, which closed the westbound 10 Freeway for several hours Friday afternoon.

The fund was established Saturday by the Santa Monica Firefighters Assn., which contributed a starting donation of $1,000. Fire officials said in a statement that the funds “will help the family begin to rebuild their lives.”

“We’ve already had a good outpouring of donations,” said Bridges, who visited the family at the hospital Sunday to present an initial check for $500.

Bridges said family members were still recovering from cuts, broken bones and other injuries as they coped with the shock of the accident.

“The best way I could describe their mood was somber,” Bridges said. “They still seem to be trying to accept what happened.”

Donations may be dropped off at any Santa Monica fire station or mailed to SMFF – Looney Family, 222 Hollister Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90405.