Fundraiser started for family of fatal I-95 wreck victim

Friends of a U-Haul driver who died after hitting a deer and crashing on I-95 in Sumter set up a fundraiser to support the family.

Joshua Oakley, 39, of Florence, is thought to have struck a deer then traveled off the road into the median, where the vehicle caught fire early Monday.

Sumter County Coroner's Office said he was dead on scene.

Michelle Wagner, friend of Oakley's wife, Gloria Oakley, created a fundraising page on Facebook to help the family with funeral expenses.

After two days of fundraising, Wagner reached more than half of her goal of $5,000 and said her heart is overwhelmed.

"All these people have come together to help them. That's what they needed," Wagner said. "They needed the community."

Any remaining funds will be put into a trust fund for his daughter, Skyelar, said Crystal Paige, another friend of Oakley's wife.

Paige said Oakley was heading to Charleston for work at A&J Appliance, which is outside of Florence, the day of the crash. He was moving cargo for his work with the U-Haul.

Paige said Oakley was an avid racer, and he was a genuinely good person to be around.

"His race car actually just got finished in the past couple weeks, and he's not even going to get to enjoy it now," Paige said.

Wagner said Oakley loved his job, racing and his family and friends.

"He had people everywhere that loved him. He was the type of guy that would give you the shirt off his back," Wagner said.

Donations can be made on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donate/388633038467348/.