9-Year-Old Sets Up Lemonade Stand to Raise Tuition Money for Child of Police Officer Killed in Florida Crash

A young boy is fully embracing the giving spirit of the holiday season by raising money for the family of a police officer killed in a Thursday, Nov. 21 car crash in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Charlie Allsup, 9, recently set up a lemonade stand for the family of Ignacio “Dan” Diaz to raise money for tuition for one of the deceased deputy’s children, according to local NBC affiliate WPTV.

Speaking with the outlet, Charlie’s mother, Christina Allsup, explained how her young son came up with the idea to help the Diaz family.

“He asked me if there was a way we could raise money to try to help the family, and we came up with the idea to have a lemonade and cookie stand,” Christina said.

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“We're trying to pay off as much of their tuition as possible so that they have one less thing to worry about during this difficult time,” she added regarding the goal of the lemonade stand.

Following Charlie's success, the family revealed the money raised is enough to cover four to five months of tuition for Diaz’s child. They also collected donated electronics that will be presented to the family, WPTV reported.

On Monday, Nov. 25, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) announced that Deputy Diaz was the third officer killed as a result of the crash.

“Despite his courageous fight, Deputy Diaz lost the battle due to the injuries sustained by the tragic crash that also claimed the lives of Cpl. Luis Paez and D/S Butch Waller,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement at the time. “Once again, we find ourselves mourning the loss of another hero who dedicated his life to serving and protecting Palm Beach County.”

Related: Third Florida Deputy Dies After Crash Killed 2 Others: 'Mourning the Loss of Another Hero'

According to authorities, Diaz, Paez and Waller were conducting traffic enforcement on Southern Boulevard when a car crashed into them on the side of the highway on Nov. 21, around 9:29 a.m. local time, according to a press release obtained by PEOPLE.

Paez and Waller died at the scene, and Diaz was left in critical condition following the collision, authorities said on X (formerly known as Twitter).

During a Nov. 21 press conference, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the crash occurred when one officer couldn't get his motorcycle to start. He then called on the assistance of his two colleagues.

"All three [of them were] on the grassy area of the shoulder of the road, and they were going to wait for another PBSO vehicle to come with some battery cables," Bradshaw said.

The three deputies were then hit by a vehicle after the driver allegedly came across a slower car in the center lane before swerving to the right and striking the deputies.

Related: Police Officer and 'Devoted' Father Dies in Crash While Coming Home from Fellow Cop's Funeral

"She overcompensated, got off the road and then struck all three of the motor officers," Bradshaw said at the time.

The sheriff added that, based on a preliminary investigation, the driver didn’t appear to be impaired. He described what happened as a “horrific accident.”

PEOPLE contacted the PBSO on Tuesday, Nov. 26. A Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson said criminal charges aren't currently pending against the driver as she is still under investigation, according to local CBS affiliate WPEC.

A memorial service for all three deputies was held on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the iThink Financial Amphitheatre at the South Florida Fairgrounds, WPTV reported.

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