Sarah Hyland Shares Heartbreaking Plea for Fans After Cousin’s Death
Sarah Hyland and her entire family have been left reeling after her 14-year-old cousin was killed in an alleged drunk driving accident Dec. 1.
The Modern Family star has spoken openly about her loss on social media, most recently tweeting an emotional plea for fans. Hyland, 28, asked that anyone with "negative thoughts or opinions" about Trevor Canaday's death refrain from sharing them publicly.
"I'd like to ask those who have negative thoughts or opinions about the tragedy that happened to my family, to keep them to themselves. You don't know all the details. And how dare you attack when a beautiful life has been lost," she tweeted.
Hours later she returned to social media to say, "You guys finally did it. Your horrible negative ignorant words have broken me. Happy? Staying offline for a while. I have a special announcement and video releasing on Wednesday I believe. So. There's that."
The post came after she shared the link to her family's GoFundMe page, set up to cover the cost of the 14-year-old's funeral and the medical bills of Canaday's father, who was driving the vehicle he was killed in and is still in the hospital.
A description for the page reveals that Canaday and his dad were in the car heading to a "show choir event" when the accident happened. So far, the family has raised more than 30,000, though their goal was only $25,000.
"His dad, Bryan, is recovering physically, but sadly Trevor has gained his wings and is singing and playing some crazy football in heaven," the GoFundMe page reads.
Canaday's classmates and friends have been reaching out to Hyland, sending condolences to her and the rest of the family. One felt it was important she know "that everyone that loved him went to the school he went to and just sat" together.
Hyland also tweeted about the man responsible for the accident, Jeffery Eggerling. On Sunday she shared with followers that he "had two prior DUI's and tried to RUN from the scene of the crime after hitting my Uncle's car SO fast that my 14 yr old cousin, who was wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle. JEFFERY EGGERLING is a murderer."
"May he rot in hell," she tweeted, along with a link to her family's GoFundMe.
Her Modern Family co-stars and boyfriend Wells Adams have helped spread the word about the GoFundMe.