CLAYTON, N.C. — Family and friends of a truck driver killed on US-70 Monday, March, 13, are raising money for his family.

“The goal is to make his family as comfortable as possible,” said his friend Alex Bloom.

According to the GoFundMe, Vakhniak came to the United States as a result of the war in Ukraine to make a better life for himself and his family. He was also starting to build his business and was investing in it, which resulted in very little money being left for his family.

Bloom said what he will miss most about Vakhniak is his work ethic.

“[He’s a] super hard worker and he was going to grow,” Bloom said. “His journey got cut short.”

Seydina Ndiaye, 26, is charged in Vakhniak’s death with felony death by motor vehicle. He is believed to have been impaired, his third DWI charge in the course of a year.