Family, school mourn ‘awesome little girl’

Grief counselors also were at Mountain View High School on Monday after two students died in a high-speed car crash Friday night. William W. McCulloch, 17, was driving an Acura Integra and Shaun M. Hvass, 18, was in the passenger seat. Around 9:45 p.m., the car crashed into a traffic pole on the west side of Northeast 136th Avenue and Fourth Street, with enough force to tear the car in two.

When police officers arrived, both teens were dead, according to the Vancouver Police Department.

The Clark County Medical Examiner determined that Hvass and McCulloch both died of multiple blunt force injuries. Their deaths were ruled accidental.

On Monday, Mountain View Principal Matt Johnson emailed a letter to parents of the school’s students to let them know about the teens’ deaths and the presence of grief counselors at the school.

It was similar to the protocol followed at Orchards Elementary School in regards to the death of 7-year-old Cadence Boyer.

Her family described Cadence Boyer as a smart little girl who loved math class, had just graduated from swim class and was excited to wear her pink Batgirl costume on Halloween.

“She was an awesome little girl,” the girl’s grandmother, Cathy Boyer, said. “She was the apple of my eye.”

The girl’s uncle, Kenny Boyer, said that while in the hospital, his niece was on life-support machines.

“Basically, she was gone right when the car hit her,” he said. “I’m glad she doesn’t have to go through pain anymore.”

The 6-year-old girl, whose parents asked that her name not be released, is a first-grader at Orchards Elementary, according to Gail Spolar, spokeswoman for Evergreen Public Schools. The girl was in serious condition at a local hospital but was showing signs of improvement, the school said in a letter sent home to parents.

“We have informed students and are making every effort to help them cope with this sad news,” Principal Elizabeth Brawley wrote in the letter. “Please help your child through this difficult time and let us know if they need any additional support.”

Arnold, Cadence Boyer’s mother, was listed in fair condition Monday at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. Alsteen remained in critical condition at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.

An online GoFundMe account has been set up to raise money for Arnold and Cadence Boyer’s medical bills and for funeral costs. In two days, more than 100 people contributed more than $9,500 through the Web page, gofundme.com/Boyer1.

“I can’t believe how generous people are,” Kenny Boyer said. “One person said they were on (Social Security benefits), didn’t have much money, but still donated $26. It’s outrageous.”

An account was also set up for Alsteen at gofundme.com/goxroc.

Police said the driver of the mustang, Duane Abbott, 47, was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. He remained at the hospital until Monday afternoon, when he was taken into custody and transported to the Clark County Jail. He was booked on a count of vehicular homicide and four counts of vehicular assault, the jail said. The vehicular homicide charge was added after Cadence Boyer’s death.

Police are awaiting the results of a toxicology test to determine if Abbot was impaired at the time of the crash. Police said they suspect intoxicated driving and speed were a factor in the incident.