SAVANNAH, Ga. — A community in mourning grieved together after the tragic loss of a former teacher, along with his wife and two of his children.
A vigil at Kings Ridge Christian School honored Chris Leffler, his wife Lori, and sons Zach and Nate, who were all killed in a boating crash in Savannah.
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“It was just a chance for our kids and our families just to catch their breath a little bit. And I think it’s becoming more real,” said Edward Spurka, head of King’s Ridge Christian School.
Leffler was a beloved history teacher at Kings Ridge for five years before he and his family moved to Savannah this year.
His 17-year-old son Nate was also a former student who loved football.
“Chris was very involved in the community, coaching football, class advisor. Firstly, first to work, and the last one to leave,” Spurka said.
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Georgia Department of Natural Resources says someone under the influence of alcohol drove a boat head-on into the Lefflers’ boat Saturday on the Wilmington River.
The crash left a passenger on the other boat dead, and the accused drunk driver in custody.
On the Lefflers’ boat, only their daughter Katie and a friend survived.
“We have a lot of families here that are engaged with a family; so one of our next steps is, how do we support Katie?,” Spurka asked. “She’s got a long road ahead.”
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After Tuesday’s private vigil, it’s a road the community is determined not to let her walk alone.
“Community suffers loss, and it’s how you respond to it,” he said.
Family members have set up a GoFundMe for Katie to help pay her expenses.
So far, donors have raised $50,000. If interested, you can donate HERE.
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