A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established for the family of a Culbreth Middle School student and her mother who were killed in a car crash last week.

Seventh-grade student Abigail Rice and her mother, Heather Rice, were traveling in the northbound lanes of 15-501 in Chatham County when a tractor-trailer crossed the center line and struck their vehicle head-on. The tractor-trailer had been traveling southbound when it failed to reduce speed as it approached two other vehicles, which were stopped as the lead vehicle was waiting to make a left turn into a residence.

The tractor-trailer collided with the two vehicles in the southbound lane before crossing into northbound traffic and hitting Rice’s vehicle, authorities said.

The GoFundMe page, which has eclipsed its initial goal of $5,000 at the time of publishing this article, was established by the Culbreth and Scroggs PTA.

On October 21, 2019, our community lost two special people when Heather and Abigail Rice were killed in a car accident. Abigail was a 7th grader at Culbreth Middle School. Heather and Abigail leave behind their son and brother, Jack Rice, a 4th grader at Scroggs Elementary. Jack’s father immediately traveled to Chapel Hill from Nebraska. He has not asked for help, but we know that he will incur significant costs. The Culbreth and Scroggs PTAs would like to show our support for the family and help in any way we can. All funds raised will go directly to Jack’s father to help with costs associated with travel, arrangements, and caring for Jack. Any amount you can contribute is appreciated.

State Highway Patrol officials said the investigation is ongoing, but alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the crash.

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