“My dad loved me”: A family in Colorado Springs is in sadness after a fatal crash, and a local business steps in to help

A fatal motorcycle accident occurred near Palmer Park in Colorado Springs over the weekend, resulting in the death of a man.

The unfortunate incident occurred on a Saturday night, leaving a family shattered and in despair. According to the El Paso County coroner, the person who lost their life in the crash was identified as Cody Ray.

After his passing, Hannah Sturdivant and their three children, Connor, Lilyana, and Elijah, who was only seven weeks old at the time, were left behind to mourn his loss.

According to Sturdivant, her father was a pillar of support for their family. She described him as the one who provided financial stability and served as their rock during tough times.

According to Sturdivant, Ray hailed from Arkansas and had moved to Colorado Springs to be with his wife, although his family still resides in Arkansas. Sturdivant also mentioned that like any other couple, Ray and his wife had their fair share of ups and downs, but despite that, they had managed to build a family and a stable relationship over the course of their 10-year-long journey together.

According to Sturdivant, she had envisioned spending the rest of her life with him. She expressed her disappointment, saying, “I thought I was gonna spend the rest of my life with him.”

A local business is actively assisting the family in moving forward by providing them with the necessary resources.

Ray, a delivery driver, dedicated two years of his career to working at Cheers Liquor Mart, a local liquor store. According to his co-workers, Ray made a significant impact on both the business and the customers he assisted.

According to Kendra Lippy, an office manager at Cheers, Ray was an exceptional driver who had many customers specifically request him. Kendra shared with 11 News that she and Ray had a close relationship.

According to her, he had a vibrant and playful personality that was adored by everyone around him.

Cheers has recently shared a GoFundMe link to support the family in need. You can access the link by clicking here.

Kim Green, responsible for advertising at Cheers, emphasized the significance of their products to their customers by stating, “This is diapers, this is food on their table, this is their rent money until they can just figure out how they’re going to make this new life work for them.”

In addition to his passion for working on vehicles and enjoying outdoor activities such as riding ATVs and boating, his children mentioned that he had other interests as well.

According to Connor, he enjoyed playing baseball, catching the ball, and riding his motorcycle.

During an interview with 11 News, Lily shared that her father had a deep love for her. He used to call her Lily Bug as a term of endearment.

According to Sturdivant, “All his kids were a source of great pride for him.”

Baby Elijah will not have the opportunity to meet his father in person but Ray named him before his passing.

As Ray’s story is being shared by Sturdivant, she is also striving to fulfill his final wish of being buried in Arkansas.

“He should be buried here,” she expressed, “although his entire family resides in Arkansas. It is where he cherishes and requires to be.”

While striving to achieve her goals, she expressed gratitude for the community that Ray has established since relocating to the Springs. She mentioned that some of Ray’s riding companions have recently come forward to support the kids.

“He came out and played catch with Connor, since his father is no longer here to do it with him,” she recounted.

In addition to mourning the loss of Ray, Sturdivant also wants to raise awareness about the dangers that bikers face on the road. Despite taking safety measures, such as wearing protective gear, Ray’s life was tragically cut short in a motorcycle accident. Sturdivant urges drivers to be extra careful when sharing the road with bikers, and for riders to prioritize their own safety as well.

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