More than 200 people gathered on Hawaii Pacific University’s Windward campus for a memorial for Mariah Danforth-Moore who was killed Sunday night by a hit and run driver.
They gathered on the Lanai at HPU’s Windward campus – each with a a story to share about Mariah Danforth-Moore.
Mariah was the sun to our day and the moon to our night just like each one we could not go through them without seeing her and her amazing smile," says friend.
Tears flowed as some shared personal stories about a friend who had the uncanny ability to inspire.
I’m terrified of heights and the first time we went hiking we went and climbed Pali right behind us and I got so scared I didn’t want to keep going…and but she kept telling me you’re almost there you can make, you’re almost there keep going and we made it to the top," says friend.
Also in the crowd was Anthony Pangan who’s daughter Tayler Nanea Pangan-Fergerstrom was killed in a accident a month ago.
We just came today to support Stephen, not too many parents can say that they lost their little girl," says Anthony Pangan, Tayler Nanea Pangan-Fergerstrom father.
Stephen Danforth sat in the front row, obviously blown away by the lives his daughter had touched.
I’ll miss her forever but I’ll always feel her with me and I know that she’ll always be there for all of you," says Stephen Danforth.
"At the beginning of the year she took a test in one of her classes and passed it with an A — she didn’t even have the book," says friend.
He also learned how proud his daughter was of him and his decision to move to Hawaii from Wisconsin to be close to his "baby girl."
When she said she was from wisconsin, I’m like cold country and far away from home — but she was get what Dr. B, my dad is here in hawaii he’s going to live here," says Dr. B.
He then stood before the crowd and publicly thanked a U.S. Marine.
I’d like to thank everybody for coming out and showing their love for my daughter and I would love — like to thank this gentleman right here — stand up — he tried to save my daughter’s life– thank you very much for trying," says Stephen Danforth.
Corporal Christopher Goecks was the first person on the scene when Danforth-moore was struck in the crosswalk.
Witnesses say he desperately tried to save her life.
God took you because he only takes the best — and you beautiful were the best," says Paul Diaz.
29-year-old Dominic Franklyn turned himself into police last night and was booked for negligent homicide.
He was released pending investigation.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
