Friends of a 9-year-old Racine County girl who lost her life in an alleged drunk driving accident honored her legacy Friday.
An alleged drunk driver is charged with killing Emily Dalley and her father in November, steps away from their Caledonia home.
Emily's fellow fourth grade classmates at Red Apple Elementary School in Racine gathered to remember her, along with those who were there the night she lost her life.
"She was never unhappy. She was always happy," said Tori Wagner, a fourth grade classmate.
"She always looked on the bright side of things," another classmate, Sumer Angus, said.
On the night of the fatal crash, first responders gave a stuffed animal Emily's 6-year-old sister who survived the crash.
"It just so happened that it was an elephant, and we played with that and just kind of took her mind off of it," said Rebecca Petersen of the Racine County Fire Department.
"It hits home. It was a tough call and I can imagine how the kids feel losing their friend."
The 9- and 10-year-old kids took elephants and other stuffed animals to the fire department.
"Give them to kids in hard times and make them feel happy," fourth-grade student Alaina Prochniak said.
The Dalleys dropped off Marcella Loomis right before the accident.
"I really wanted to come cause Emily meant so much to me. Me and her felt like sisters," Loomis said.
The young friends are searching for the good while they grieve.
"You can't have a rainbow without a little rain," fourth grader Ayja Cushman said.
Elephants are part of their rainbow.
"We can't bring Emily back, but we can help kids in the future," said Kristie Cushman of the Red Apple PTA.
For information about donating stuffed animals, e-mail Red Apple PTA at redapplepta@gmail.com
Click here to learn more about Emily's Elephants.
