LIMA — A fundraiser on GoFundMe has been started for the family of a girl who was killed in a car fire Wednesday.
As of Monday afternoon, $1,030 has been donated of the $20,000 goal to help Lillyanna Stemen’s family via bit.ly/3Y6UWhL.
According to a news release from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 9:51 p.m. Wednesday, dispatch received a call about an irrational driver who was swerving and possibly driving on a wheel rim. While en route, deputies were advised the vehicle came to a stop on Zion Church Road near Shenk Road and caught fire.
The car was fully engulfed in flames when deputies arrived. The driver, Nicholas Matthew Stemen, 33, of Elida, exited the car without injuries. When American Township firefighters extinguished the fire, they found Lillyanna, Nicholas’ daughter, in the back seat. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the Lima Municipal Court’s website, Nicholas will have a preliminary hearing Friday on a charge of involuntary manslaughter. His bond was set at $1 million Monday.
