John Goldade of Midland, Washington, said his 12-year-old daughter Immaculee Goldade and her friend Kathleen Olson, also 12, were having a sleepover last weekend when a white flatbed truck ran into the girls and sped away.
The hit killed Immaculee and injured Kathleen, and now their families are hoping the person who hurt their children will turn themselves in.
The dad told Fox 13 that Immaculee and Kathleen hadn’t been able to do much throughout the pandemic.
But they did have a sleepover on Friday, January 14, at the Goldades' house, Fox 13 reports. The two spent the night doing the types of things that all 12-year-old girls do at slumber parties, like playing with makeup. That morning, Goldade recalled the girls asking if they could walk through the neighborhood.
"The two were very close friends, and they were probably holding hands, is what I understand, during this, because they just really were close friends. There was a lot of youth and innocence in them," Goldade told the news station.
Goldade recalled going out to the store that day and coming back to the worst scene possible.
Immaculee and Kathleen had been the victims of a hit-and-run.
"It was a little more than just 'Oops, I accidentally hit somebody.' This was somebody who veered into them and literally into the very large ditch which my daughter's body was lying in for a couple hours," he told Fox 13.
Immaculee was pronounced dead at the scene.
Kathleen was taken to the hospital and survived, but has serious injuries. Her mother said she is expected to make a full recovery, People reported.
Police were later able to track down the damaged truck that hit the girls at a local gas station. They learned the truck was stolen from a local business earlier that day. Authorities also found surveillance footage of a person they believe to be of interest in the case.
Police have released the images, hoping the public can help identify the man.
They believe the man in the photos was last seen leaving with the stolen truck that morning. He bought snacks at the gas station before leaving on foot.
Immaculee's family is still mourning her death as police continue their search for the man.
"She just found joy in life and that was just her,” her father told Fox 13. A GoFundMe has also been started to help raise funds for Immaculee’s funeral. The fund has raised over $40,000.
Kathleen’s mother, Rachel Olson, said the girls had been friends since they were born.
The mom told King 5 that the last thing Kathleen remembered before she was hit, was holding Immaculee's hand as she told her, "We're almost home."
A vigil was held for Immaculee on Monday, January 17.
"It was just unbelievable how many people came out to pray for us and just support us," Goldade told Fox 13.
The parents are hoping that the man who struck their daughters will do the right thing and turn himself in.
"I want this person to know that a lot of people are actually praying for him as well. If he's going to do anything right in this at all, he can bring a little peace to us by turning himself in," Goldade told Fox 13.
The Goldade family is asking anyone with information to call the Pierce County Sheriff's Office at 253-798-3278.
Source: cafemom.com
