How you can help family of Palatine boy struck, killed by car
An online memorial fund for the family of the 5-year-old Palatine boy who was killed by a car this week has raised more than $12,000 in 24 hours.
The child, Kobe Lewis, was walking alone on Palatine Road Monday afternoon when he was hit by a gray 2006 Hyundai Sonata driven by a 53-year-old Bartlett man, police said.
Police believe the man had just turned left from southbound Winston Drive onto eastbound Palatine Road when the boy walked in front of his vehicle. He died early Tuesday morning. His family lives near the crash site.
Schaumburg resident Kelly Hopkins said she started the fund to help Kobe's family and has been amazed by the support so far.
"It's amazing to see a community come together so quickly," Hopkins said. "No one batted an eye, and everyone stepped to the plate."
Hopkins said her daughter, Bryana Hopkins, is teammates with Kobe's older sister, Brianna Lewis, on the Fremd High School varsity girls basketball team.
"We have a really good support system through the girls basketball team," Hopkins said. "Just to see our fellow families going through such a tragic time ... it was the least we could do."
Hopkins said she worked with the team's coach, David Yates, and Lisa Tworek, another team mother, to set up the memorial and start a meal train for Kobe's family.
"Every day we deliver lunch and dinner to the family so it's one less thing they have to think about," Hopkins said.
A wake will be held for Kobe from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Wallace Funeral Home, 2020 Roosevelt Road in Broadview. The funeral will be private.
To donate, visit www.youcaring.com/eugene-and-keena-lewis-363146.
• Staff writer Megan Jones contributed to this report.