Ferndale Officer Loses 3 Year Old to Drunk Driving Accident: Ways You Can Help
(C. Proxmire, Ferndale 115 News, July 8, 2012)
The Ferndale Police Officers Association is doing all they can to support one of their own who is suffering after a drunk driver hit him and his family, injuring two of his children and killing his three year old daughter.
According to the Association’s press release, “On June 25, 2012, a minivan occupied by Ferndale Police Officer John Cleveland, his wife Jodie, and their three children, Katie, Gavin and Olivia, was struck by a drunk driver. Tragically, Olivia did not survive the accident. She was only 3 years old.
“Additionally, the accident also resulted in Jodie and the Cleveland’s other two children being hospitalized for several days.”
Myfoxdetroit.com reported on the accident, which took place at 23 Mile and Hayes in Shelby Township, where witnesses saw the drunk driver’s Buick Park Avenue run a red light and slam into the van. Pictures show where the vehicle impacted the driver’s side of the family’s minivan. The driver, an unidentified female, was pronounced dead at the hospital according to the report.
In an effort to assist the Cleveland’s with their mounting expenses, the Ferndale Police Officers Association will be holding a benefit in the family’s honor at Rosie O’Grady’s in Ferndale. There will be several items raffled off, and a tin can auction as well.
The fundraiser is sponsored by the Ferndale Police Officers Association. $10 at the door includes food and non-alcoholic beverages. It will be held Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 6pm.
Organizer Scott Blanchard has also set up an account through Credit Union One, which is also linked to a PayPal account, with the email being cleveland.family.fund@gmail.com. Checks should be made to Cleveland Family Fund and sent to Credit Union One 400 E. 9 Mile, Ferndale, MI 48220.
