Campaign needs funds for Vermilion man's funeral

VERMILION — An online fundraiser seeks funds for a Vermilion native's funeral costs. David "Ryan" Walker II, 20, died late Sunday evening in a head-on crash west of Fremont. Matt Lawson, who's co-organizing the crowdfunding campaign, is a friend of Walker's father, David Walker Sr. "As not only co-workers but friends, we hope that you can help us support Dave in his time of need," Lawson wrote. "With the ever-rising cost of funeral expenses, it is our goal to raise enough money to cover his son's funeral so that he has one less thing to worry about as he and his family mourn. Again, we thank you for your consideration in donating. It's the little things that can make big changes." As of Wednesday afternoon, more than $6,300 was raised with the campaign having a $10,000 goal. Walker was a third-year student at Bowling Green State University's Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business, where he was pursuing a four-year degree in business administration with a specialization in accounting. He was also a Thompson Working Families Scholar and recently completed an internship with NASA at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. According to his LinkedIn profile, Walker graduated from Firelands High School in 2020 and was expected to graduate from BGSU in May 2024. "Those who knew Ryan remember him as bright and humble, and someone who enjoyed his work," BGSU president Rodney Rogers said in a prepared statement Tuesday. Steven Iwanek, a BGSU student who was driving the Ford Five Hundred of which Walker was a passenger when it was struck head-on, posted an update Tuesday on Twitter. Iwanek and the other two passengers were transported to a Toledo-area hospital. "Just wanted to give my appreciation to everyone who checked on me and everyone else affected by this horrible accident," he said on the social networking site. "I will forever thank God for protecting me in that moment of pure evil. Pray for the Walker and Morales (families). They need it more than me." According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Toledo resident James R. Baker Jr., 42, was traveling eastbound on U.S. 6 in a black 2011 Ford F-150. Witnesses said Baker drove left of center and attempted to pass several vehicles before allegedly striking three vehicles, two of which went off the road and struck trees. Walker was the only fatality in this incident. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation. Want to help? To donate, search "Deputy David Walker's son's funeral expenses" on gofundme.com. Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood - Support local journalism. Click here to subscribe to the Register.