A Massachusetts family is leaning on each other and the community after a tragic car crash claimed the life of one cousin and left another fighting for his life in the ICU.
“We’re just in a really bad place and any help that people can give, we’re so grateful for prayers and words of encouragement — support, even if it’s not financial,” said their aunt Jean Calvert-McClure. “Especially these days, we really have to lift each other up and hold each other up.”
Kayden Coombs, 18, and his cousin, Killian Salsman, 17, were involved in a single-car crash on Route 28 north in Falmouth at the 55.6 mile marker around 4 p.m. on March 28, Massachusetts State Police said in an email. Coombs — who was driving the car — was rushed to a nearby hospital and declared dead.
Salsman has remained in the ICU since the crash. He had multiple broken bones, including to his pelvis and leg. He had facial injuries and will require multiple surgeries.
Another passenger was also taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries, state police said.
Salsman has already had one of the surgeries and “had a couple of good days,” his aunt told MassLive. But then he had another setback.
“No one should bury their kid. No one should see their kid go through this,” Calvert-McClure said.
A GoFundMe is hoping to raise $20,000 for Salsman’s family so his parents can focus on his recovery and supporting his younger brother, Tavian, “without the added stress of financial difficulties.”
As of Thursday, it has raised about $6,000.
Salsman’s parents have been able to take time off of work to focus on their son. But the recovery won’t be short.
“They still have bills to pay. They have another son to feed, and so that’s why I started the GoFundMe,” Calvert-McClure said, adding that his parents didn’t want it at first.
But, she added, “everybody needs help sometimes.”
Their journey won’t end when Salsman is able to leave the hospital. They’ll have to modify their home due to a number of stairs, his aunt said.
For now, they’re leaning on each other and the community.
“We’re a tight family. We’re really tight,” she said, her voice cracking.
A GoFundMe was also created for Coombs' family to “focus on grieving and supporting each other.”
As of Thursday morning, it raised more than $19,000 with more than 200 donations. The fundraiser’s goal is $20,000.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing with us, for lifting us up, and for reminding us that we are not alone,” Coombs’ mom Kristie Rego wrote on Facebook. “Your support has been a true blessing, and we are forever grateful.”
Coombs was remembered for embracing the world with kindness and laughter.
“Kayden was a beacon of love, joy, and wisdom far beyond his years. With a heart as big as the sky, he embraced the world with kindness, laughter, and an unshakable warmth that touched everyone he met. Kayden’s humor could brighten even the darkest days, and his natural charisma made him a magnet for love and friendship,” his obituary read.
Family and friends said his time on Earth was “far too short.” Still, “the impact he made will never fade.”
“His Spirit lives on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know him, a reminder that love, kindness, and authenticity are the greatest legacies of all,” the obituary read.
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