Outpouring of Support for Mother of 2 Killed in Robbinsdale Fatal Crash
A Crystal family’s life changed in an instant when police say a driver fled after an officer initially tried to stop him for speeding.
Police say that driver crashed into a minivan at speeds close to 90 miles per hour, killing the minivan driver, 34-year-old Emily Gerding. Her husband, John Gerding, was critically injured in the crash. The couple has two children, ages 2 and 6, according to a GoFundMe page started by relatives. They were not in the vehicle at the time of the crash, relatives said.
Since the crash, an outpouring of support has come in for the family. The family’s GoFundMe has raised more than $120,000 to help with funeral, medical and child expenses.
Emily and John Gerding both worked as special education teachers at Coon Rapids Middle School, according to the Anoka-Hennepin School District.
“They were about to celebrate their 7th wedding anniversary in August,” the GoFundMe post read. “Emily would have celebrated her 35th birthday later this month. She was busy planning the party for Eleanor’s upcoming 3rd birthday this month as well.”
A CaringBridge site listed for John Gerding revealed that he was in a medically-induced coma. Doctors determined he has a broken right leg, right wrist, fracture on right side and base of skull, fractured left clavicle and a collapsed lung.
Gerding family photo posted on GoFundMe.
Suspect Awaits Charges
Police say the man who hit them blew through a stop sign and was traveling as fast as 90 miles per hour before the crash at the intersection of Orchard and 36th Avenues.
Robbinsdale police say they had called off the pursuit after initially activating lights and sirens as the driver increased speeds.
That driver, a 20-year-old Minneapolis man, was at the Hennepin County jail with charges pending Tuesday afternoon. The jail roster lists him being held for possible felony charges of criminal vehicular homicide and fleeing a police officer.
