$90K Raised For Family Of LI Middle Schooler Killed Crossing Street

ROSLYN, NY — A family and community grieve for Nathan Ha, a 12-year-old boy who was killed crossing Northern Boulevard on Monday evening.

Ha was a seventh-grader at Roslyn Middle School.

Dominick Jung, a longtime friend of Ha's parents, created a GoFundMe page for the disconsolate family.

"It's very tragic," Jung told Patch.

Nathan was tech savvy, good with computers at a young age, Jung recalled.

"He was a smart kid," but Jung said Nathan was also typical youngster.

"He liked to play sports and video games like a normal 12-year-old kid," he said

Nathan had a twin sister and a younger brother, 7.

Jung said the Has are a religious family, who go to church regularly.

In just two days, since the GoFundMe went live, it received nearly $90,000 in donations.

"I just set it up and let it go viral," Jung said. "The support has been overwhelming."

But Jung, originally from Syosset, expected nothing less from the Roslyn community.

"They come together. It's something else," he said.

All of the money raised will get forwarded directly to the family by a check or bank transfer, as stated in the GoFundMe description.

"It's going to help the family a lot because I know financially they are not very well off," Jung said.

He spent time this week with the Has, who are contemplating leaving Roslyn.

"The accident happened right in front of their home, pretty much," Jung said. "It's just going to be hard for them to keep getting reminded."

Ha was killed by a Ford pickup. Police said the driver remained at the scene, and no charges have been filed. However, because of their strong religious beliefs, Jung said, the family isn't trying to "play the blame game."

For now, Jung is lending his shoulder as they navigate unchartered waters.

"It's heartbreaking. We just do our best to help the family. Life goes on and you've just got to be strong," Jung said.