LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville family is still dealing with sudden tragedy after a loved one was killed last week.
A woman, identified as 58-year-old Tamara Blanchard, died after a driver lost control of their vehicle, drove up onto the sidewalk and hit her.
Louisville Metro Police Department Spokesperson Aaron Ellis said police officers responded to the call around 10 a.m. on April 19 at 18th Street and Market Street.
Ellis said Blanchard went to University Hospital in critical condition.
Ellis also said the vehicle struck another vehicle going northbound on 18th Street. He said a passenger in that second vehicle was also sent to the hospital with minor injuries.
He did not say how the driver lost control of their vehicle.
WHAS11 spoke to Blanchard's daughter, Kelli Gadlage. She said she wants answers.
"I don't think it's quite hit me yet that she's gone, that she's not coming back,” Gadlage said. "All I can think about is just - I'm beating myself up that I don't have any answers. I don't have all the answers and I want them all."
Gadladge said doctors told her there was no chance of survival, and she was left with the difficult decision to remove her from life support.
"If I had one percent that she would come out of it, I wouldn't have made that call," she said. "Just that 1-percent, I was hoping - just some kind of miracle. I didn't get it."
Blanchard died on April 22, the day before Thunder Over Louisville. It's a moment in time that stands still for Gadlage.
"Did she see it coming? Did she move out of the way," she questioned. "Did she feel anything?"
Gadlage also wonders about the driver. She wonders why they crashed, taking away a grandmother, mother and friend.
"I can't be angry at him because if it was an accident, it was an accident, but I should have more time with my mom," she said.
Though the time is gone, the memories aren't. Gadlage aspires to be the kind of mom she had.
"I've always wanted to be like her growing up, and then watching her with the kids, I've always wanted to be a mom like her, so I guess that would be my lesson, just to follow in her footsteps," she said.
A gofundme has been posted for Blanchard to help cover funeral expenses. The family said anything helps.
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