2 GoFundMe Pages Set Up For Manhattan Man Killed In Crash

MANHATTAN, IL — Two GoFundMe pages have been created for Jake W. Murdock, the 23-year-old Manhattan man killed in a crash Sunday in Peotone. The crash also killed a pedestrian, Ethan R. Ulrich, 26, of Manteno. Both pages are requesting donations to help Murdock's family with memorial and funeral expenses.

One of the pages' organizers, Laura Gordon, told Patch she was a good friend of Murdock's who wanted to help the family out with expenses. She described Murdock as "a daredevil."

"Everyone thought he would live forever," Gordon said.

Related: Motorcycle Crash Leaves 2 Dead, Including Manhattan Resident

The crash happened at around 11:40 p.m. Saturday, according to the Will County Sheriff's Department. Murdock was driving a 2018 Harley-Davidson motorcycle westbound on Wilmington-Peotone Road when he fatally hit Ulrich, according to the Sheriff's Department. Both men died at the scene, officials said. Murdock's motorcycle ended up crashing into a mailbox further down the road.

An SUV that was traveling eastbound on Wilmington-Peotone Road struck Murdock, officials said. Murdock was dragged several feet before being disengaged from the vehicle. The SUV continued, and the driver believed she had struck an animal, officials said.

Murdock was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 6 a.m. Sunday, according to a post on Facebook by the Will County Coroner's Office.

As of press time, the two GoFundMe accounts have raised a combined $2,475. Those wishing to donate can follow the links to the GoFundMe pages here and here.

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