HCCA offers condolences as board president’s 15-year-old daughter was killed in car crash

Many are offering condolences of the recent passing of Gao Jer Vang.

The 15-year-old, who died late Saturday after being thrown from a SUV in a rollover crash on I-90, was the daughter of the Hmoob Cultural & Community Agency (HCCA) board president Xao Vang.

“Our sympathy and prayers are with Xao Chor and his family during this time of sadness,” the HCCA said in a statement.

Vang was a sophomore at Onalaska High School.

The Onalaska Hilltopper Show Choir offered its condolences, tweeting, “She always brought joy, compassion, and laughter to the Onalaska showchoir family. She is someone that truly can never be replaced.”

A GoFundMe (click here) has been started to help cover funeral costs.

Vang was one of three passengers in the Toyota RAV4, driven by a 16-year-old boy, who fell asleep at the wheel just before midnight Saturday.

The car went off the road. Gao Jer Vang was thrown from the car and into the highway. She was then hit by a Ford Fusion. She was not wearing her seatbelt.

The female driver of the Fusion, who was from Onalaska, was not hurt. The two boys in the RAV4 were taken to Gundersen Health System for treatment.

The HCCA will be closed Wednesday-Friday, as well as from noon-4:30 p.m. July 12 and all day July 13 in sympathy for the family. The funeral will be held July 13-15.