Monongah business raises money for I-79 crash victim
Jan. 6—A former employer of one of the two victims of Wednesday's fatal accident on Interstate 79 is raising money to help her family and a Go Fund Me page has been started in her name to help with the unexpected expenses.
The owner of the Monongah Dairy Kone, Ashley Hunt Tennant, posted the news Thursday via the business' Facebook page asking for donations. Tennant confirmed with The Dominion Post on Friday that Margaret "Maggie " Erdie, 19, was one of the victims of Wednesday morning's accident.
Social media posts remembering Erdie imply her boyfriend was the second victim of the crash, but The Dominion Post has not received official confirmation of his identity and chose not to publish a name until then.
The Monongalia County Sheriff's Department is investigating the fatal accident and said Friday names won't be released until confirmation from the state medical examiner. That information had not been released—nor had the names of those injured or the cause of the accident—as of Friday.
The Wednesday morning accident, near the 149 mile-marker between the Westover exit and the I-79 /I-68 interchange, claimed the lives of two people, sent two others to the hospital and brought interstate traffic to a standstill for around five hours.
The post from the Monongah Dairy Kone states Erdie will be remembered forever.
"Our sweet former employee Maggie Erdie passed away as the result of a car accident. I just have no words. Our hearts shattered yesterday and will hurt for a long, long time !
"I have no doubt if Maggie still lived close, she would be serving all of you with a smile (and a chat because she was so outgoing and loved to talk to our customers)!!!, " the post read.
In addition, the post said, "We will also be setting up a scholarship fund for Monongah students in the near future in Maggie's memory."
Because the Monongah Dairy Kone is currently undergoing renovations, donations can be dropped off to GG's Hair Haven, 652 Pike St. in Monongah, Tuesday through Saturday or at The Print Shop, 4586 Freedom Hwy. in Worthington.
Donations can also be mailed to Monongah Dairy Kone, 654 Pike St., Monongah, WV 26554. Tennant said she would also accept donations via Venmo or PayPal. Get that information by messaging her personal Facebook page.
A GoFundMe page under the title Margaret "Maggie " Erdie was also started on Thursday and is gaining donations.
Information on the fundraiser states, "Maggie was a 19-year-old ANGEL on earth, with her Christian Faith being the first thing you knew about when you met her. Her smile and beautiful personality was the light of everyone who knew her."
Fundraiser donations will be used for funeral expenses and a headstone, the page states.
