A Victoria mother and her two young sons are recovering from injuries after a head-on collision on the Malahat on Saturday, but friends say the trauma from the event will be long-lasting.
Jessica Payton was travelling to the Cowichan Valley with her sons, ages 3 1/2 and 2, to visit friends when the crash happened at about 5:40 p.m.
RCMP said a southbound SUV crossed the centre line and hit Payton’s small car head-on.
Police said the driver and passenger of the SUV had minor injuries and neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to be factors in the collision, which closed the Malahat for several hours.
Payton, a hairdresser and single mom who had been taking businesses classes at Camosun College, was still in Victoria General Hospital suffering from serious head trauma on Tuesday.
Her younger son, who was riding in a car seat, was treated for a broken collarbone and seatbelt contusions and released Monday into the care of close friends and family.
Payton’s other son, who was also riding in the back seat, remains in B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver with “serious head injuries,” according to family friend Alison Banton, who has started an online fundraising campaign for the family.
Less than 24 hours after it was launched, the GoFundMe campaign had raised more than $14,000. Banton said the goal is to at least relieve Payton’s financial burdens, adding organizers of the fundraiser would appreciate any donation. “It all adds up. Some of the expenses she will be facing will be a new car, car seats, rent, food.”
Banton said she hopes enough is raised to also provide counselling for the family. “Everyone is so traumatized and that’s something that will probably last a while.”
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Edited by Victoria Watcher, 07 August 2024 - 11:09 AM.