Community Honors 10-Year-Old Girl Who Died After Being Hit by a Car While Selling Lemonade

Laramie Amateur Hockey Club/GoFundMe

Sawyer Costa’s family will forever remember the 10-year-old as a “firecracker” who loved hockey. Tragically, Sawyer Costa sustained a traumatic brain injury when a truck struck her while she attempted to cross a residential street in Laramie, Wyoming, on May 24. Emergency responders rushed her to Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado, but she never recovered. Her family made the difficult decision to remove life support. Her mother, Kim Costa, said she’s in “shock” and can’t believe her daughter is gone.

Kim Costa told the Cowboy State Daily she doesn’t know much about the collision other than Sawyer and a friend were selling lemonade that day and attempted to cross the street when the truck struck her.

“I don’t know if there were cars parked on the side and she couldn’t see the truck, but she very religiously looked both ways usually,” she said. “But I don’t know if she did this time. I also don’t know if the truck was going too fast or what.”

Kim Costa said she hasn’t quite come to grips with her daughter’s death yet. She said it’s been difficult explaining the situation to her other children.

“We just explained that every brain injury is different,” Kim Costa said. “Sometimes it’s something where you can’t talk, and sometimes it’s physical where you can’t move like you used to.”

Sadly, Sawyer Costa’s death is the second tragedy for the Costa family in a little more than a year. A car accident paralyzed Sawyer’s father, Brett Costa, from the rib cage down 15 months ago. The family’s received a tremendous amount of support from their community, including their hockey family.

Sawyer Costa played hockey for the Outlaws and the Laramie Amateur Hockey Club created a GoFundMe to help with final expenses.

“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share with you that Sawyer passed away on May 31st,” the fundraiser reads. “Your support, love, and generosity during the last week has meant so much. Your contributions have allowed the family to focus their time and energy on Sawyer, and for that we will forever be grateful. Your continued support will further allow them the time and space to grieve their precious daughter. Please continue to keep the Costas in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this incredibly difficult time.”

They’ve raised more than $35,000 of a $40,000 goal thus far.

Laramie Hockey Club President Kristine Ninnemann said Sawyer Costa’s death profoundly impacted the organization.

“It just knocks the wind out of you,” she told Cowboy State Daily. “It’s so sad, and for it to happen just almost a year after Brett’s accident, it’s just unfair.”

Kristine Ninnemann’s husband, Jim Ninnemann, remarked about Sawyer’s incredible talent and go-getter spirit. He said she had a smile he’ll never forget. They club chose to honor Sawyer Costa in a special way. She wore No. 6, and that number will remain hers forever.

“We’ll retire the number this year for the program,” Jim Ninnemann said with a lump in his throat.

Wyoming Highway Patrol Lieutenant Brock Weitzel told the Cowboy State Daily the incident remains under investigation.