Chris Harper, cyclist killed in Milton, focus of crowdfunding campaign
After a popular teacher and father of five was killed while cycling this weekend, an online campaign has sprung up to help his family.
Oakville's Chris Harper, a 50-year-old married father of two boys and three girls, died after being struck by a car on Friday night while he rode his bike near Tremaine Road. The driver, who police allege was impaired at the time of the collision, then fled the scene.
"It's a nightmare," family friend Heidi Cyfko said.
"The family is coping as best they can and preparing for the funeral of this tragedy caused by drinking and driving."
In the wake of the deadly crash, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to create a memorial fund for Harper's family. The fundraising campaign aims to raise $25,000 and is already more than half way there after just over 20 hours.
Many of the tributes and donations appear to be coming from Harper's former students at Meadowvale Secondary School in Mississauga, where he was a popular teacher.
Mike Fugler, who created the account, wrote Harper was "taken from the thousands of past, current and future Meadowvale SS students whom he taught and would have taught, and positively impacted through his dedication and passion to the classroom," by the crash.
A 33-year-old woman from Oakville has been charged with impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death and failure to remain at the scene in the wake of Harper's death.
