$35K Raised After NYU Student Killed By Accused Drunken Driver

WEST VILLAGE, NY — A fundraiser for a 21-year-old NYU student who police say was hit and killed by a drunk driver last week on Houston Street is nearing its goal.

On May 3, Raife Milligan was walking around East Houston Street near First Avenue around 2:45 a.m., when Michael De Guzman slammed his Chevrolet Camaro into the college student, police said.

Later that day, police charged De Guzman with driving while intoxicated and driving with ability impaired. He was subsequently charged with felony vehicular assault, police said.

The New York Post reported that De Guzman was more than one and half times over the legal blood-alcohol limit at the time of the crash.

The Post added that since December 2021, De Guzman has received four camera-issued speeding tickets and garnered 25 parking tickets.

After four days, a GoFundMe started for Milligan has raised $35,375 of its $45,000 goal as of Monday morning.

"The unexpected death of a child is an unimaginable loss that no one can prepare for," reads a message from the family friend who created the fundraiser. "Raife attended New York University studying BioChemistry with the hope of becoming a doctor one day. He just loved life to the fullest always thinking of others first."

During his time in the city, Milligan delivered food to the elderly, played video games, and enjoyed playing volleyball — joining the club team at NYU, according to the fundraiser.

"Raife was one in a million," reads the GoFundMe message. "Brilliant beyond his years. Saying he will be missed is an understatement. He impacted so many lives in a positive way and will be greatly missed. We will live on through his memory holding him deep in our hearts forever."

Milligan is survived by his parents, three siblings (including his twin), and his nieces.

The GoFundMe specifies that the funds will go towards travel, medical and funeral expenses.