COLORADO SPRINGS — It's a tragic loss for a Colorado family who lost daughter and sister Corporal Erin Rachel Lilley-Fogle of the United States Marine Corps.
She was killed in a car accident while serving in South Carolina.
News 5 spoke with her family who said she was stationed in Parris Island. On October 11th she had stopped to help someone on the highway when she was struck by oncoming traffic.
Her father, Michael Lilley, said, "I knew as soon as I saw the uniforms coming down the stairs that it was going to be bad news."
It was around 1:30 in the morning when Michael and Melinda Lilley heard a knock on the door.
Michael said, "A major, a staff sergeant, and a chaplain came to the door."
They were there to let the Lilleys know that that their daughter, 23-year-old Corporal Erin Rachel Lilley-Fogle had been killed.
Michael said, "She turned around to help somebody who had hit a deer and was crossing the road to go help the people."
Melinda said, "They hit her when she got out of the car."
Michael said, "We know there were three people in the car. Two of them were Air Force members."
They said no drugs or alcohol were involved. It was simply a tragic accident.
Melinda said, "It couldn't be real."
Michael said, "I was just in shock."
In the wake of her death Michael and Melinda, surrounded by their other daughters, are remembering their beloved Erin Rachel.
Melinda said, "She was just one of the sweetest, most loving person you could ever meet."
Michael said, "She was very people-oriented."
It was about three years ago when she made the decision to enlist in the Marine Corps.
Michael said, "She chose the Marines because of wanting to serve her country."
After just a few years of serving she had already moved up through the ranks and was about to start a new job.
Michael said, "The day that she died she had just cleaned out her office because she...had been hand-picked to be...I believe it was the administrative assistant to the base commander."
It was a great honor. Beyond that, the Corporal was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Michael said, "She was an amazing person."
Erin Rachel Lilley-Fogle may be gone, but will never be forgotten. As for the Lilleys, they're taking comfort knowing that this daughter, sister, friend, and service member died just as she lived.
The Lilleys shared that their daughter will be receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal posthumously.
She'll be returning to her home state of Colorado for the last time on Tuesday. Her funeral will be held next Friday which would've been her 24th birthday.
