Friends raise money to help young family of Deerfoot crash victim

Calgarians are stepping up to help the widow and young children of a 28-year-old man killed in a fiery crash last weekend.

Abdalla Ukilo, known to friends as ‘Reggie’, died when his SUV slammed into a light standard on Deerfoot Trail at Anderson Rd. just before 6 a.m. Sunday.

Ukilo left behind his partner, Kristine Pederson, and two young sons.

They are 4 month old Kendrick and Jeremiah, who is from a previous relationship.

“All he wanted was to love me and for me to love him and continue a great big family,” said Pederson.

Friends, who remember Ukilo as a hard-working father who juggled two jobs, are raising money to help the young family.

Justin Borley co-owns a delivery company and is promising to match funds raised up to $2,500.

“Now that she needs a hand it’s time for all her friends to come together and anyone else that can give her a hand. Just help her out, help her and Kendrick out,” he said.

Pederson and Ukilo had just moved in with his parents to save up for their wedding.

She is now planning Ukilo’s funeral and trying to cope with a life without him.

Police have not released the cause of the crash.

“They just said that he hit the pole, and ignited, set on fire and died. On his way to work for us, for his family,” Pederson said tearfully.

She said she’s trying to focus on the strength she’s getting from the support of friends and strangers.

“I honestly feel blessed because I was scared of what was going to happen. Not only to me, but to Kendrick and my family.  But they have opened there arms and opened their hearts to me,” she says.