Two separate tragedies in the Morgantown area this week have affected families who are now in need of community support and donations.
On Tuesday evening, a fatal accident on Interstate 79 near the Pennsylvania border claimed the life of Eddie Sullivan, a young coal miner from Barbour County. Sullivan leaves behind two small daughters and pregnant wife.
According to a social media post regarding their loss, Sullivan was “a loving father, dedicated husband, a hard worker, and always loved to make others smile with a joke.”
He was said to have been on his way home from work at Bailey Mine in Pennsylvania when the accident occurred.
The Sullivan family was not financially prepared for the significant and unexpected loss, the posts read.
To help cover funeral expenses and a few weeks of financial support for his wife and children, family and friends are asking for donations to be sent to Eddie Sullivan’s CashApp username $esullivan45.
West Virginia State Police are investigating the crash, which involved multiple vehicles and brought interstate traffic to a standstill. Police had not released any information regarding the investigation as of Friday afternoon.
In another unexpected tragedy, a Morgantown family lost their home and their family pet on Wednesday when the Brockway Avenue house caught fire, destroying all of their possessions. Their beloved emotional support dog, Ren, died of smoke inhalation, despite attempts at to revive the animal using CPR at the scene.
Fire officials said the probable cause of the fire is electrical and believed to have started in the basement of the house.
Photos of the home’s charred interior accompany a GoFundMe account set up to help the Macolas rebuild. The fundraiser is titled The Macola Family’s Journey to Recovery in midst of tragedy.
The Macolas said the amount of support the community has shown them so far has been mind-blowing.
