Family of killed LSU student seeks help to bring injured brother home
An LSU medical student is dead and her brother is in critical condition after a hit and run accident last week in South Africa.
Nicole Murphy, 24, and her brother Brian Murphy, 19, were attending the World Cup.
They were hit by a drunk driver while walking back to their hotel after going to the games and then a concert.
“We’re just asking people for prayers and whatever they can. Just remember us and I would just want to make sure our family gets back and we can lay our little sister to rest,” said sister Lauren Murphy.
Nicole’s father is still in South Africa, but the family wants to bring Brian home, which would cost about $300,000.
“Insurance isn’t going to cover any of those costs to get him back here. An ICU jet is gonna be in excess of hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Danny Murphy, the victim’s father.
Nicole played in local soccer leagues and her friends are trying to organize a benefit game to help raise money. Benefit organizers are hoping to play the game on July 3. Details are not finalized but teammate Justin Gilbert says there will be updates on neworleanscoedsoccer.com.
Gilbert was also in Murphy’s class at LSU’s medical school.
“For anybody growing up playing the sport the World Cup’s the ultimate destination. At least she got to see it one time before…” Gilbert said while trailing off.
A family member says South African police did make an arrest the day after the hit and run.
They tracked down the driver because his license plate fell off at the scene.
The Murphy Family support Fund has been set up at Home Bank in Lafayette where the Murphy family lives.
Donations can be made at home24bank.com, in person at the bank, or by calling 337-237-1960.
