Community rallies behind couple who lost their 6-year-old daughter in suspected DUI crash

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVLY/Gray News) - Family, friends and community members are raising money for a North Dakota couple who lost their young daughter in a deadly crash earlier this week.

Authorities say the crash happened after 6:30 p.m. on Monday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Airport Road in the Grand Forks area.

Troopers say 26-year-old Nicole Louthain and her 6-year-old daughter were in an SUV at a red light when a suspected drunken driver rear-ended them.

Louthain suffered serious injuries and her daughter died.

A GoFundMe has been organized to help the family since the tragic crash.

“The accident resulted in the tragic loss of their daughter. We are asking the community to rally around this family and help support them by relieving any financial burdens,” organizer Audrey Peterson said.

The fundraiser has raised more than $38,000 in just the first few days while receiving donations from more than 500 people.

North Dakota authorities said 43-year-old Travis Bell is facing several charges in connection with the crash.

According to court documents, Bell was drinking prior to the crash.

Authorities said his blood alcohol content was .13% when a breathalyzer was given around 8 p.m. the night of the crash. The state’s legal limit for driving is .08%.

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