LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Just one day after a deadly school bus crash took the life of 12-year-old Haylee Ryan in the northwest valley, family and friends set up a memorial to honor her.
“She’s an amazing girl and she will be missed," said Haylee's mom, Meghan Ryan.
VIDEO: Ryan Ketcham talks to the mother of 12-year-old Haylee Ryan, who set up a memorial to honor her life
Meghan was one of many family and friends who returned to the site of Monday's deadly crash, sharing an emotional embrace.
“This is my core group that keep me going and keep me sane and always have me," Ryan said.
They also cried together and even joined in laughter while remembering the best moments of Haylee's young life.
“Her room would be clean, and then all of a sudden, she’s working on more art stuff; her room would never stay clean because she was always working on something. She never just wanted to sit around; she was always creating everything," Ryan said.
Clark County School District Superintendent Jhone Ebert says Haylee loved cats, art, and robotics at school.
Meghan tells me Haylee, a seventh-grader at Lied STEM Academy, was riding her bike back home from school when the crash happened.
According to police, Haylee was riding westbound on Tropical Parkway when she collided with a school bus headed the same direction. The crash threw her from her bike and into a parked car.
Meghan was at work when she got the call about her daughter's crash. I asked her what was going through her mind.
“The worst-case scenario, probably hyperventilating on the drive and praying that I didn’t pass out driving to UMC," Ryan told me.
Her daughter was pronounced dead on Tuesday morning.
“I just know that Haylee is with God right now, and that’s the only thing keeping me going," Ryan said.
Haylee had three siblings: a 13-year-old brother, a 10-year-old sister, and an 8-year-old brother.
Meghan tells me her family has gone through an emotional whirlwind this year.
“Since March, I got separated from my husband, my youngest son got diagnosed with brain cancer, my nephew got paralyzed, and now my daughter this month, so it’s just been a crazy few months," Ryan said.
Right now, the family is asking for support in any way possible. They started this GoFundMe Page to help cover the cost of Haylee's funeral.
Meghan says she just hopes people remember her daughter and will continue to pray for them. She says her church community and other friends have been there for her family, making meals and spending time to help in the mourning process.
"I wouldn't be here without that community, I would say community matters, they show up," said Ryan.
A candlelight vigil and memorial service have been planned to honor Haylee Ryan's memory. Meghan tells Channel 13 that members of the public are welcome to attend both events.
Candlelight vigil: Saturday, Oct. 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lied STEM Academy (5350 W. Tropical Pkwy.)
Memorial service: Saturday, Oct. 18 at 9 a.m. at Canyon Ridge Christian Church (6200 W. Lone Mountain Rd.)
