Michelle Gogan of Burtonsville, who was fatally struck by a vehicle Thursday morning, will now have the “farewell she so deeply deserves” after a GoFundMe campaign organized by her family raised more than $27,300 to celebrate her life – exceeding its $20,000 goal.
“Michelle was a beautiful and pure soul who brought immense joy, laughter, and love to everyone she met,” Gogan’s family wrote on the page for the GoFundMe campaign organized by Zanne Gogan. “Her presence was a gift, and her kindness and vibrant spirit touched countless lives, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew her.”
Gogan, 37, was identified Friday as the pedestrian who was fatally struck Thursday by a vehicle in the parking lot of the Burtonsville Giant Food store at 15618 Old Columbia Pike. Gogan’s family didn’t immediately respond to a message from MoCo360 on Monday.
According to Montgomery County police, Gogan was struck by a 2023 silver Mazda CX5 as she was getting out of her parked vehicle in the store’s lot.
Just before 11:15 a.m., emergency dispatchers received a call from a person who reported that “a vehicle ran over a female,” according to police transmissions. A dispatcher later told county police officers the pedestrian was “pinned under a silver Mazda.”
According to police, Gogan was exiting the passenger side of her parked vehicle when she was struck by the Mazda. The Mazda’s driver was trying to enter an “adjoining parking stall” when they struck Gogan, her vehicle and another parked vehicle, the statement said. The driver remained at the scene after the collision, police said.
According to radio transmissions, first responders said they had extricated Gogan from under the Mazda by 11:22 a.m., later adding that she was being transported by Howard County Fire and Rescue Services crews to a shock trauma center. Gogan died later Thursday at the hospital, police said Friday.
The Gogans’ fundraiser said the family was “shattered” without Michelle, their “shining light.”
Michelle Gogan’s death is particularly devastating for the Gogan family, the GoFundMe shared, which lost another family member, David, in September.
“We never imagined we would have to bury another family member so soon,” Zanne Gogan said. “The pain of these fresh wounds, coupled with the financial strain of arranging two funerals within three months, has left us overwhelmed and struggling to cope.”
The GoFundMe funds will pay for funeral and burial expenses, memorial services and any other costs associated with celebrating Michelle Gogan’s life, according to the family. Any remaining funds will be used to purchase a headstone for David, which the family said it couldn’t afford after his death. No details about David Gogan’s death were provided.
In a Friday statement, police did not say whether the driver who allegedly struck Michelle Gogan, who was not identified, would face charges related to the collision. County police ask anyone who may have witnessed the Thursday collision to call 240-773-6620.
After exceeding its $20,000 GoFundMe goal, the family shared that the funds would ensure Michelle received the “farewell she so deeply deserves.”
“Michelle was a light in so many lives, and seeing this community come together to celebrate her memory has touched us in ways we can’t put into words,” the family said. “Your messages, stories and kindness have reminded us just how loved she was and how much of an impact she made.”
MoCo360 reporter Elia Griffin contributed to this report