Money being raised for care of Tri-Cities student hurt in icy highway crash
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Community raises funds for teen’s medical care after Hwy. 395 crash in November.
- Four teens injured on icy road as they drove home from WSU football game.
- Hanford High student needs specialized medical care at Colorado hospital.
Donations are being raised for the continuing medical care of a West Richland teen hurt in a nighttime crash in late November on Highway 395 north of the Tri-Cities.
The highway was as icy as a skating rink, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office warned on social media just 90 minutes before the crash around 1 a.m. Sunday Nov. 30.
Chris Romero, 18, and three friends were driving back to the Tri-Cities after a Washington State University football game, according to a GoFundMe posted by his older sister, Leslie Romero.
The Chevrolet Blazer left the pavement at the Connell interchange and rolled until it came to rest up an embankment, according to the Washington State Patrol.
It did not say who was driving because at the time two of the teens in the car had not yet turned 18. Drugs or alcohol were not factors in the crash.
Three of the teens were taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland and one was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, the state’s only Level 1 trauma center for children and adults. All four teens were wearing seat belts.
At least three of the teens were from West Richland. Chris Romero is a senior at Hanford High School, according to a social media post.
“In an instant our lives were turned upside down,” the Romero family said in an online fundraiser started by Chris Romero’s older sister, Leslie Romero.
As of Dec. 23, her brother was still in an intensive care unit “fighting through severe injuries with incredible strength and courage,” the fundraiser said.
“By the grace of God, he is still here with us, and we truly believe his hand has been over Chris every step of the way,” the family said. “While the road to recovery is long and uncertain, we are holding tightly to our faith, trusting that God is not finished with his story.”
Chris Romero will require specialized medical treatment at a hospital in Colorado.
The Tri-City Herald was not able to obtain an interview with the Romero family to learn more.
“This tragedy has deeply shaken our entire family emotionally, spiritually and financially, but we are leaning on God’s promises and the support of our community to carry us through,” the family posted on the GoFundMe.
All donations to the GoFundMe account will be used to help Chris Romero receive care and treatment, they said.
As of Friday, about $7,500 had been raised. To donate, go to bit.ly/4jl6jeJ.