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WOODLAND – An effort to assist a local family in the wake of a tragic accident has raised nearly $20,000.

Relatives of the Troiano family have set up a GoFundMe page. As of 1:30 p.m. on Friday, $19,476 had been donated towards a goal of $25,000.

Dyllan Troiano, age 16, lost his life in a motor vehicle accident this past Sunday morning on Main Street in Murfreesboro. Dyllan’s mother, Alicia – who was driving the car – was seriously injured.

According Chris Vecchione, uncle to Alicia Troiano, she and her son were en route to a celebration of life event for another family member when the accident occurred.

Vecchione said the money raised on the GoFundMe page will help the family meet a list of growing expenses that include the cost of Dyllan’s funeral, medical bills related to Alicia’s injuries (the family does not have medical insurance), the need for a replacement vehicle as the one Alicia was operating at the time of the accident was the only vehicle the family had, additional expenses incurred as Alicia will be out of work for the foreseeable future, and the hope that financial support from those that love this family will help ease some of the burden and allow them to focus on healing physically, mentally, and especially emotionally.

“No parent should ever have to bury a son, and a 13-year old sister should not have to face a day without her older brother – her best friend. Unfortunately, Alicia, Will, and Kayla do have to painfully part with Dyllan in this life – they shouldn’t also have to desperately plan for the financial cost of doing so,” Vecchione wrote in the GoFundMe Page listing.

“I’m asking that anyone with the means, please consider a financial donation to this fund as a tangible way to love, support and care for Alicia, Will, Dyllan and Kayla in this great time of need,” Vecchione added. “The family wants to thank the outpouring of support they have already received and ask for your continued thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement in the coming days, weeks, months, and years ahead as they bind together as a family.”

Those wishing to make a donation can do so at: www.gofundme.com/f/alicia-williams-will-troiano-family

Alicia and Will Troiano moved their small family to Woodland from Connecticut three years ago to be closer to other family members that had earlier relocated to enjoy the charms of southern living.

At the time of his death, Dyllan was a student at Ahoskie Christian School where he was on the varsity basketball team. There, on Thursday during a basketball tournament, a moment of silence was held for the Troiano family. A banner was also displayed in the school gym that reads: In Memory of Dyllan #34.

To pay tribute to Dyllan’s life, visitation will be held from 2:30-4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18 at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 4 p.m., also at the funeral home.