Family loses 2 in tragic car crash

MATTAWA - People in the community are making donations to help a farm worker's family that suffered two deaths in a two-car crash on Sunday, May 3. But more help is needed.

Francisca Gonzalez, 33, has the tragic duty of looking after funeral arrangements and other matters arising from the death of her father, Juan Gonzalez, 65, and sister, Maria Gonzalez Hernandez, 29.

"It's really tough," she said tearfully last Thursday. "I'm still hurting very much and the details of this keep reminding me."

Juan and Maria died when the car they were in collided with another car one mile east of town at Road 24 SW and R Road SW. There were nine people involved in the accident, with seven others sent to local hospitals.

The collision occurred at around 10 p.m. Authorities are at a loss for what caused the accident. Maybe they'll learn from survivors after they heal.

For the moment, the Grant County Sheriff's Office has concluded that the car Juan and Maria were in, driven by Roman Rodriguez, 42 and Maria's husband, went through the stop sign for Road R traffic.

Alcohol and drugs were not a factor, Grant County Sheriff Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said.

Rodriguez of Mattawa was driving a 2011 Hyndai Elantra northbound on Road R. Emiliano Bravo, 45, of Mattawa, was driving a 2006 Honda Civic westward on Road 24. After the collision, the Rodriguez car rolled and ended up in a vineyard.

The violent crash required several ambulances and more than 20 emergency workers from Grant County Fire District No. 8 and Hanford Emergency Services. Several victims had to be extricated. One was flown by Northwest Medstar to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland.

Rodriguez, who was wearing a seat belt, sustained a concussion, broken ribs and internal injuries. Thursday, Francisca said he was in stable condition at Yakima Memorial Hospital. Francisca is caring for his and her sister's sons, 4 and 8.

Juan Gonzalez was wearing a seat belt, but he died at the scene. Maria Gonzalez Hernandez was not wearing a seatbelt. She was partially ejected and died at the scene.

Maria's two boys were not restrained and sustained minor injuries. They were transported to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, where they were treated and released.

The fifth passenger in the Rodriguez vehicle, Martha Hernandez, 59, and Francisca's mother, was not wearing a seatbelt. She was partially ejected and suffered numerous injuries.

According to Francisca, her mother was in stable condition but in intensive care on Thursday.

From the second car, Bravo was wearing his seatbelt. He was transported by ambulance to Kadlec Medical Center with chest injuries and was listed in stable condition.

Estella Machuca, 57, of Mattawa was a passenger in the Honda and sustained a broken leg. She was wearing her seat belt. She was transported to Kadlec Medical Center and was listed in stable condition.

Rufina Bravo, 41, of Mattawa was wearing her seat belt. She was transported to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital with minor injuries, was treated and released.

The families affected by this crash in the Bravo vehicle have serious challenges ahead and will need help.

There was a memorial service for Juan and Maria at Quincy on Sunday. A mass of Christian Burial was held Monday at Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church in Mattawa.

The family plans to fly the bodies to Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico for burial. As of Thursday, Maria had not been apprised of a total cost, but she believes it will be in the neighborhood of $7,000 each.

"And then there will be costs of the funeral in Mexico," Francisca said with tears welling up in her eyes.

There are many challenges. Francisca left her job at an asparagus packing plant immediately to gather herself and the rest of the family.

Francisca has no income, but she simply can't work for a while. She assumes she will continue to care for her sister's boys until their father comes home, and after that, too.

"We're going to need food and the boys are going to need clothes," she said.

A friend from another community came by to offer condolences and help from herself and her mother, telling Francisca to call any time.

"Thank you very much," Francisca said through teary eyes. "I've never asked for help, but now I have to."

People are helping. Donations of money and other needs are being accepted at Saddle Mountain Elementary School.

There are two Facebook Fund Me accounts.

One is Familia Gonzalez by Lorena de Hernandez. As of Thursday, it had collected $2,380.

The other is Juan and Marichuy Gonzalez by Elia Hernandez. It had collected $940 as of Thursday.

"I am grateful for anything anyone can do," Francisca said.