By Daniel Larios
Staff Writer

June 10, 2014 --The Santa Monica Firefighters Association has established a fund to assist a Las Vegas family whose child was killed in a collision Friday in Santa Monica’s McClure Tunnel.

The fund was opened Saturday by the Firefighter group, which contributed a starting donation of $1,000.  The donations received “will help the family begin to rebuild their lives,” according to fire officials in a press release.

On Friday afternoon, a 23-year-old truck driver from Panorama City, at the wheel of a 1998 International truck, approached a blind curve inside McClure Tunnel at an excessive speed, according to a California Highway Patrol accident report.

The truck driver slammed on the brakes, but was unable to stop and skidded into the right lane of the two-lane tunnel at the western end of the I-10 Santa Monica Freeway. The truck struck a 2010 Honda minivan from behind and rammed it into a big rig.

In the vehicle were two adults and five children in the Looney family, who were on their way to the beach during a vacation trip from Las Vegas.

Two-year-old Noah Looney and 17 year-old Jeremiah Looney were loaded into a rescue helicopter at the Santa Monica Pier parking lot.  The two-year-old was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center.  The 17 year-old suffered a serious neck injury.

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

“Santa Monica firefighters met with the family this morning and presented them with an initial $500 to help out with immediate needs of food and clothes,” read a Facebook post from the Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) on Sunday.

“Over the next few days, Santa Monica firefighters will be checking in on them, providing whatever assistance they need and providing them with ‘home-cooked meals’ from the firehouse,” the post continued.

Donations can be made by cash or check and may be dropped off at any Santa Monica fire station; or mailed to SMFF – Looney Family, 222 Hollister Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90405; or by transfer to Chase Bank account No. 3095918057.
                                                                                   
For more information, contact SMFD Battalion Chief Mark Bridges at (805) 990-1497 or mark.bridges@smgov.net.