Father, two-children killed in weekend crash coming home from fair remembered

The family of Lee Vang spent Tuesday morning planning him and his two young children’s funeral after the Sunday afternoon car crash in Ham Lake.

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office reports the investigation into the crash that killed 28-year-old Lee Vang, and his two children, three-year-old Astrid Lee and six month-old Levi Lee continues.

“My brother’s a caring man,” said Huey Lee of his older brother who was driving the family’s SUV. “I loved him. He’s the man who made me the man I am today.”

The family had just left the State Fair after picking up the 6-month-old boy from a relative’s home and were driving westbound on Bunker Lake Boulevard Northwest near Butternut Street in Ham Lake.

The family’s SUV, for some reason, crossed the median and struck a pick-up truck in the eastbound lanes, according to investigators.

“Once I got the call, I just broke down, I really did, I broke down, I didn’t believe it,” said Huey Lee. “I dropped everything I was doing. I rushed to the hospital as fast as I can with tears rolling.”

At the hospital, the family learned that the mother, Rhodia Xiong, 26, and the couple’s seven-year-old daughter, Kyria survived the crash but were seriously injured.

Two people in the other vehicle, received minor injuries, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The outdoors were Lee Vang’s passion, especially fishing and boating, along with spending time with his family.

“Astrid, was very sassy, loved playing and loved dogs,” Huey Lee said about his niece.

As the family mourns, they are comforted by the support shown to them by the community to help them during this difficult time.

“Thank you to the community for the helping out — showing prayers and love — I thank you so much for giving us a helping hand and caring,” said Huey Lee.

Flowers and teddy bears have been left at the crash site.

Allina Health EMS sent four ambulances to the scene to help those injured.

“They perform their duties heroically, especially when that call involves children. Once that call is completed and the emergency vehicles have cleared, that’s when the reactions and emotions can flood a first responder,” said Renee Rosenberg, Allina Health EMS Operations supervisor.

Rosenberg also leads Allina’s EMS peer support programs that provide medics involved with critical events, like the Ham Lake crash, with additional assistance to help staff with their emotional needs.

“We’ve put a lot of resources to providing care for our responders,” Rosenberg said.

A GoFundMe Page has been set up by friends to help support the family after the crash.

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