Community raises thousands for family who lost mom in car wreck

DEER PARK, Wash. — A Spokane girl, seriously injured in the car crash that killed her mom, is now out of a coma.

The community, with help from a famous actress and comedian is making sure her medical bills and other expenses are covered.

Family tells KXLY4 News, 8-year old Theo Knudsen was transferred from Sacred Heart Medical Center to St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute on Friday.

Theo and her older sister, Mable, were with their mom, 43-year old Lizzie Knudsen, when their car was t-boned by a truck on Highway 395 just north of Deer Park in March.

Lizzie Knudsen died instantly. Theo was rushed to Sacred Heart Medical Center for emergency brain surgery. She was in a coma for about a week. Mable spent a few nights in the hospital for observation.

On Saturday, Katy Byrnes, Lizzie’s sister in law, shared memories of a woman so many cherished and loved.

“Completely loving and completely accepting,” said Katy Byrnes.

“I am always in awe at a family function or out and about, The people that would be drawn to her,” she added.

Byrnes said Lizzie would always make people feel special by sending handwritten notes and cards.

“She just exuded life and love. I can not think of another person that I personally know that could walk into a space and fill it with a presence and she was just beautiful inside and out,” said Byrnes.

A GoFund me account is set up to help pay for funeral and medical expenses. In just nine days, the family has raised more than $44,000.

Actress and comedian, Amy Schumer even donated $7,800. Byrnes says Lizzie’s brother works with comedians in New York and when Schumer heard about the story she donated to the account.

“I can not convey to you enough how much everyone’s support has meant over the last two weeks and I would ask people not forget,” said Byrnes.

If you’d like to donate to the family: https://www.gofundme.com/lizzie-knudsen-memorial-fund

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