FERGUSON — Police on Monday began accepting clothing and donations for five girls who lost their mother on Christmas Eve when her car was hit by a train.
Vernadine Hogan said she is still wrapping her mind around her daughter’s death.
“It’s just surreal,” Hogan said. “I’m overwhelmed with a lot of grief. It comes in waves.”
Her daughter, Ashley Hogan, 35, of St. Louis, was killed just before 2:30 a.m. at the intersection James S. McDonnell Boulevard and Banshee Road in north Berkeley. Police said Hogan ran off the road into a ditch, and then got stuck in gravel on the track. The train hit the left side of her Kia Soul. Hogan died at the scene.
Hogan
“We are not sure why she didn’t get out or wasn’t able to get out,” said Cpl. Dallas Thompson of the Missouri Highway Patrol, which is investigating the crash. “We are still trying to figure that out ourselves.”
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Thompson said investigators weren’t sure how long she had been stuck when the train approached.
Ferguson Officer Andrae Spraggins said he has known Ashley Hogan since they both attended Hazelwood East High School. Hogan, a single mother and certified nursing assistant, was a vibrant person focused on providing for her daughters, Spraggins said.
“Her life revolved around her kids,” he said. “When the accident happened, she had presents for them in the trunk. That’s her. She’s a great mom.”
Spraggins said when he heard what happened, he just knew he had to do something. So he and another of Hogan’s friends went to the department’s police chief and its media coordinator to ask about fundraising.
The chief and coordinator were on board before he finished explaining what had happened, he said.
Ferguson Police officer Andrae Spraggins carries donations made by Ferguson resident Victoria Adams, who dropped off clothing for the children of a mother killed on Christmas Eve on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. Ashley Hogan, 35, of St. Louis, was killed when her car was hit by a train in Berkeley, leaving her five daughters behind. Officer Spraggins went to high school with Hogan and started the fundraising drive to help her family.
The department took to Facebook to let people know they were collecting donations.
“Ferguson family, one of our officers has suffered a great loss in the death of a dear family friend killed when a train hit her stranded vehicle on Christmas eve,” Ferguson police posted.
The department said Hogan’s five daughters, ages 15, 12, 11, 9 and 6, will now live with their grandmother in her two-bedroom townhouse.
The Facebook post asked for clothing, household items and bedding for the girls — Ashley Hogan had been evicted from her Benton Park West duplex in June, according to court records.
“We’re really, really close,” Vernadine Hogan said. “They miss their mom tremendously.”
Her neighbor, Konnar Allgire, said Hogan and her daughters lived next door for about three years before they left a few months ago.
Allgire said she spent a lot of time with Hogan’s daughters, sometimes bringing them treats and small toys from the dollar store. She remembers Hogan as being hardworking.
Police recruits McCray Harris, left, and Jessica Hooks join Ferguson Police Capt. Harry Dilworth as they sort donated clothing for the five daughters of Ashley Hogan at the police station on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. Hogan was killed on Christmas Eve when her car was hit by a train in Berkeley.
“She was always nice to me,” Allgire said. “She was a good human. I hope her girls are taken care of.”
Ashley’s mother also set up a GoFundMe page, which had raised almost $50,000 as of Monday afternoon.
Vernadine said the outpouring of support the family has seen from teachers, community members and even strangers for her granddaughters has left her speechless.
“That means a lot to me,” Vernadine Hogan said. “I’m in awe that the community is stepping up.”
Now she’s looking for a house big enough for her and the girls.
Ferguson police are accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the police department, 222 South Florissant Road.
Lisa Stephens, left, training coordinator with the Ferguson Police Department, joins public information officer Pat Washington as they look over clothing donated for the five daughters of Ashley Hogan on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. Hogan was killed on Christmas Eve when her car was hit by a train in Berkeley.
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