Fundraiser to help family of 7-year-old boy who died in ATV crash

The child who died in an ATV crash in northern Minnesota late last week has been identified as 7-year-old Drew Nordstrom

Nordstrom is described in his obituary as a "lover of all things and people, and anyone who met him would find it impossible to "not love him back." A memorial service will be held for Nordstrom on Thursday at a church in Moose Lake, where a bouncy house will be on site to "help children heal," the obituary adds. 

A GoFundMe for Nordstrom's family – he is survived by his mother, father, two sisters and a brother – has raised more than $25,000. 

"An enormous hole is left in the hearts of his family, friends, school and community," the fundraising campaign explains, saying the money will be used to "take away some financial burden as this family faces expenses no parents should ever have to endure."

The ATV crash happened around 6:20 p.m. on private property near County Road 13 in Moose Lake Township last Friday, May 21. 

Deputies from the Carlton County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and found that a girl was driving a side-by-side ATV with two passengers when she lost control on a hill.

Nordstrom, who was a backseat passenger, was fatally injured when the ATV rolled on top of him. A girl who was a front seat passenger was taken to Essentia Hospital in Moose Lake with non-life-threatening injuries. The girl who was driving the ATV was not injured.

"We as a community can heal together as we continue to tell the stories of Drew for the many years ahead of us and let us continue to keep his memory alive," his obituary says. "Share your stories, say his name, and most of all let us all be like Drew and make the world an incredible place filled with love!"