Daniel Holbrook
(Photo provided)

What started out as a report of a downed tree has turned tragic for family, friends and the community of Winona Lake.

Early this morning, storms ravaged through the sleepy town of Winona Lake, knocking power lines and trees down in their path. Emergency personnel were dispatch shortly after the storm’s wake at 1:30 a.m. to Fairlane Mobile Park in Winona Lake, off of Wooster Road, on reports of a downed tree on multiple mobile homes with possible entrapment.

This morning, family confirmed that 14-year-old Daniel Holbrook, was sleeping in a bedroom of the home that the tree fell on. Holbrook tragically lost his life as a result of the tree’s fall.

Today, the tree still lies across two of the trailers as an awful reminder of a night that destroyed not only a home, but broke the hearts of a family and community. A fundraiser has begun however to assist the family in raising funds for a memorial fund for Holbrook and his family.

Strong storm winds forced over this tree, tragically taking the life of a 14-year-old boy sleeping within.
(Photo by Alyssa Richardson)

“He left behind a loving, but sick, grandmother who now has no place to go,” explained Chelse Roucloux on the donation page. “Unfortunately, Danny did not have any type of medical insurance and his family is now having to pay out-of-pocket to give him the proper funeral he deserves. We will be setting up donation stations around the Warsaw/ Winona lake area. They (donations) will be greatly appreciated and needed. We are working on setting up a memorial for him later in the week.”

Those interested in donating to a memorial fund in Daniel’s name may due so at Titus Funeral Home. The funeral home will accept cash or a check made out to Titus Funeral Home with Daniel Holbrook written in the “memo area” of the check.

In addition, green and blue boxes are being placed at local businesses for donation collections. A complete list will be posted when it becomes available.