Hundreds of people attended a vigil Friday night in honor of 12 year old Hailey Ratliff of Novato. Hailey was hit and killed by an SUV while riding her bike home from school on Thursday.
Many of the people who attended the memorial didn’t know the middle school student or her family, but they came to San Marin High School to show their support.
“I’ve been weeping all day off and on and every parent I see in the neighborhood as we drive by, we all have the same look,” Kathy Hart said.
Hart was one of many who had the look of sadness and despair.
Hailey’s family was among the crowd, fighting back tears.
“It is my hope that the pain will not crush us but begin to mold us to who we really are,” Pastor Joe Everly of Quest Church of Novato said.
On Friday night, the Novato community was a family, supporting a brand new family in pain.
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“This family moved here less than a month ago. They are from New Mexico. They came out here for a job relocation. All these people the entire community is supporting them,” Jim Turner said.
This support comes one day after little Hailey was killed in a horrible accident.
She was struck by an SUV while riding her bike home from school on Novato Blvd. near San Marin Drive.
She was rushed to a local hospital and then airlifted to Childrens’ Hospital where she died.
Police say the driver of the SUV is coorporating with police.
There is a memorial fund for Hailey Ratliff and her family.
If you would like to contribute to a fund set up for the family you can go to any Wells Fargo Branch.
The account number is 2707306573
Routing number is 121042882.
