A tragic incident occurred in St. Louis, where a devoted single mother of five girls lost her life after being struck by a train. This heartbreaking event happened just before she could fulfill the Christmas celebrations she had meticulously planned for her beloved daughters.
Ashley Hogan, a 35-year-old single mother of five, tragically lost her life on Christmas Eve in north St. Louis County, Missouri.
She was on her way home from her job at a nursing facility when her car became stuck on the railroad tracks around 3:30 a.m. According to reports from KMOV, her vehicle was struck by a train, resulting in her untimely death.
“Some days are easier to bear than others,” expressed Vernadine Hogan, the grieving mother of the victim. “It has been an incredibly challenging journey for me. I’m still grappling with the harsh reality that my daughter is no longer with us, and her children have lost their mother.”
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ashley Hogan’s car being on the tracks. They are trying to determine if she had a medical episode prior to the train colliding with her vehicle.
Cpl. Dallas Thompson with the MSHP stated that the vehicle had veered off the roadway for reasons unknown and ended up getting stuck in a gravel area next to the railroad tracks.
The Hogan family is devastated by the recent events. Ashley Hogan, the mother of four girls, ranging in age from 6 to 15, was determined to give them a joyful Christmas. However, their plans were shattered by an unforeseen tragedy.
Vernadine Hogan expressed her disappointment in not being able to surpass the previous Christmas this year. She acknowledged the profound heartbreak and internal devastation her loved ones are experiencing.
At the age of nearly 60, she finds herself undertaking the incredible journey of raising her five granddaughters.
“I never could have imagined that at my age, I would be embarking on the journey of raising five children, starting from square one,” she exclaimed.
As the family grieves, the community has rallied together to provide assistance in the form of clothing and monetary donations.
Andrae Spraggin, a Ferguson Police Officer and a close friend of Ashley Hogan from high school, is actively demonstrating his support by collecting donations at the local police department.
“Ashley was an amazing individual and an incredible friend. Right now, her daughters hold the utmost significance in her life,” Spraggin expressed.
The family has also set up a GoFundMe campaign to support them during this difficult time. As of Sunday night, the campaign has already raised an impressive $40,500.
Vernadine Hogan expresses how grateful she is for the overwhelming kindness her family has received from the community.
She expressed her deep gratitude and appreciation for the overwhelming support received from the community.
Ashley Hogan’s sudden absence has left her granddaughters and herself grappling with the challenges of moving forward in life.
“I want them to remember how much she loved them,” said Vernadine Hogan, expressing her desire for her loved ones to cherish the memory of her late daughter.
She emphasized that it was not about dwelling on the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s departure from home or her commute to work. Instead, Vernadine wanted the focus to be on the immense love her daughter had for her family.
The Ferguson Police Department will be accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as a drop-off location.
Children’s clothing sizes include:
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- 15-year-old – 5 junior bottoms and 14 and small in junior shirts
- 12-year-old – 14/16 bottoms and tops
- 11-year-old -12 top and bottom
- 9-year-old – size 14 bottom and top
- 6-year-old – 6 bottom and top
