Support Surges For Girl Killed While Riding Bike On Bridgewater Street

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The community is rallying in support behind 11-year-old Victoria Bastos' family after she was fatally hit by a pickup truck while riding her bike at a Bridgewater intersection on Saturday night.

"There are not enough words to express the immense pain and despair of losing a child," according to a GoFundMe fundraiser website set up for Bastos' family.

On Saturday, April 2, Victoria had been riding her bike with a friend on a residential street when she was hit, according to the fundraiser.

Victoria was hit at the intersection of Fulton Street and 3rd Street by Maria A. Toribio, 22, of Bridgewater, said Bridgewater Police Officer Kevin Florczak. Read More: Young Girl Hit, Killed By Pickup Truck At Bridgewater Intersection

At 6:08 p.m., Bridgewater Township Police went to the scene and the girl was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Somerset where she was pronounced dead, said Florczak.

Victoria is survived by her dad Vitor Bastos, mom Cynthia Pereria, and sister Natasha Bastos.

"In an effort to alleviate some stress from the Bastos’ family, we are looking to raise money to help with the service expenses. All of the proceeds will go directly to Vitor Bastos to support with the arrangements," according to the fundraiser.

The fundraiser has already raised almost $19,000 in the past 12 hours.

"We greatly appreciate your support and ask that you please share Victoria’s funeral fundraiser with others who knew the family," according to the fundraiser.

A former teacher of Victoria took to social media to share her condolences.

"She was an amazing, smart, funny, beautiful, silly, always kind, and so full of love and light. I have a million memories of her, her sister and mom and dad. She and her family were my friends after she left my class and I adore them. My heart is broken for her, her family and friends," wrote Jennifer Ann DaPonte.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

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