GoFundMe Started For Holy Cross Rowers Injured In Fla. Crash

WATERBURY, CT — Maggie O'Leary, the daughter of Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary was among 13 injured after a van crash in Florida Wednesday. The van was carrying members of the Holy Cross college rowing team.

The crash killed Holy Cross sophomore Grace Rett, 20, of Uxbridge, Mass. Rett graduated from Marianapolis Preparatory School in Thompson in 2018.

A GoFundMe was started to help raise money for medical and other expenses. It has raised more than $128,000 of its $200,000 goal.

The crash happened before 7:30 a.m. in Vero Beach, Fla. as the van carrying the team made a left turn and was hit by a red Dodge pickup. The crash remains under investigation.

U.S. Rep Jahana Hayes tweeted a statement about the crash and said that Maggie O'Leary had interned in her office.

Hayes said she and her staff are sending their thoughts and prayers to Maggie.

The team was traveling to the Vero Beach Rowing Club when the crash happened, according to TCPalm.com.

Rett set a world record Dec. 22 by rowing on an indoor machine for 62 consecutive hours. She was the captain of the varsity team at Marianapolis in 2018.

Holy Cross, which is in Worcester, Mass. put out a statement about the crash:

"This morning, members of the Holy Cross women's rowing team were involved in a serious crash while traveling in Florida. The College is in contact with authorities in Florida and is in the process of gathering more information. Holy Cross has been in touch with the families of those students and coaches and is offering support for all those involved.

"We ask that you keep all those involved and their families in your prayers at this time."

Additional reporting by Neal Mcnamara, Patch Staff