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Who was Emily Gerding? GoFundMe for Minnesota car crash victim's family raises over $150K

John and Emily Gerding were special education teachers at a local middle school and they have two daughters

ROBBINSDALE, MINNESOTA: On July 8, 2023, Emily Gerding, 34, and her husband John, fell victim to a high-speed car crash in Robbinsdale that left the former dead and the latter critically injured. The couple was driving through the city when 20-year-old Minneapolis driver, Quintin Leon Hudson, allegedly ran a red light and rammed their minivan resulting in the horrific crash. 

While Gerding succumbed to her injuries, John was in critical condition with a traumatic brain injury and several broken bones, CBS Minnesota reported. Meanwhile, the suspect was released from the hospital and booked into the Hennepin County Jail. Robbinsdale police captain John Elder said the Hennepin County Attorney's Office will file an extension for charging in the case.

Who was Emily Gerding? 

Gerding was a 34-year-old mother-of-two from Minnesota. She was reportedly a special education teacher at Coon Rapids Middle School, along with her husband John. Officials said that the suspect was escaping a traffic ticket and going between 70 and 90 mph when he crashed into the couple's minivan leading to Gerding's death. "The suspect vehicle crossed 36th Avenue North at a very high rate of speed, striking a vehicle traveling on 36th," Elder said. 

Gerding leaves behind two daughters, six-year-old Emelia (6) and three-year-old Eleanor, and her husband, who is in critical condition. She is also survived by her mother, Linda Darmer, her sister, Samantha Pherson, and brother-in-law, Luke, among other loved ones. Gerding's family said that she was set to turn 35 in July and was busy planning a Elton John-themed party for Eleanor's third birthday, which also falls in July. 

Gerding and John were also about to celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary in August. Speaking about Gerding, Pherson said, "She's the one that I turn to about everything and she was always there for me She was there for all of us all the time. She was the glue that held our family together." Meanwhile, Darmer said Gerding's life was "short, but full and happy." Her family said that they would remember her for her "silly personality." 

Emily Gerding's GoFundMe raises over $150,000 

In the wake of Gerding's death, Luke launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for John's medical bills as well as Emelia and Eleanor's future expenses. The fundraiser received immense support from community members, Gerding's loved ones and social media users. "On July 8th, 2023 Emily and John Gerding were involved in a horrific vehicle collision. Their van was hit at an extremely high rate of speed by a vehicle that was allegedly fleeing a simple traffic ticket," the page read. 

"The Robbinsdale police, Robbinsdale Fire Department, West Metro Fire District, and North Memorial ambulance crews did everything they could on the scene, but Emily's life was tragically lost. John remains hospitalized in critical condition with significant injuries. He's medically stable now but has a very long and difficult road ahead for recovery. Updates are added to his CaringBridge site as family are able to do so," it continued. 

"Their two wonderful daughters, Emelia (6) and Eleanor (almost 3), thankfully were not in the vehicle at the time of the collision. Emelia and Eleanor are currently being cared for by close family. The family is facing significant expenses for Emily's funeral, John's ongoing medical care, and looking toward their girls' future. All donations will go to John and their girls," the fundraiser concluded, in part. As of Thursday, July 13, the GoFundMe raised $154,909 of its $200,000 goal.