Key Takeaways
- A Kiwi-Filipino family was involved in a devastating car accident that left a 73-year-old grandmother severely ill in hospital.
- The family posted on social media to seek justice and raise funds for their expenses, despite police warnings against using social media for this purpose.
- The offending driver returned a zero blood-alcohol reading, but police are awaiting further test results for other intoxicating substances.
- A fundraising page was launched to support the family, with a goal of $10,000 to cover lost income, hospital expenses, and other costs.
- The family is experiencing significant emotional and financial strain, with the grandmother’s daughter having to stop working to care for her mother and child.
Introduction to the Accident
The accident in question has left a Kiwi-Filipino family reeling, with a 73-year-old grandmother still recovering from life-threatening injuries in hospital. The family’s post on Facebook, titled "SEARCHING FOR THE DRUNK DRIVER THAT CAUSED THIS MESS", outlined the devastating impact of the accident on their lives. Despite police warnings against using social media to seek justice, the family continued to share updates and information about the accident. The original post drew a significant response, with many people offering support and condolences to the family.
Police Warning and Investigation
The police issued a warning against using social media as a platform to seek justice, citing the risks of compromising investigations and causing harm to individuals. Despite this warning, a new post was shared on the Checkpoint Watch Auckland page, claiming that the pictured man was the offending driver and insinuating that impairment was a likely factor in the accident. However, police confirmed that the offending driver returned a zero blood-alcohol reading, and they are awaiting the results of further blood tests for other intoxicating substances. The police warning highlights the importance of allowing investigations to proceed without interference from social media, in order to ensure that justice is served and that all parties involved are protected.
Fundraising Efforts
In response to the accident, a fundraising page was launched on Givealittle to support the family’s expenses. The page, which had raised over $1400 towards its $10,000 goal, aims to cover lost income, hospital travel and parking, household bills and groceries, unused airline tickets, and help replace the family car. The page reads, "The impact on the family has been devastating. Her daughter has had to stop working to remain by her mother’s bedside while also caring for her own child. The emotional strain is immense, and the loss of income has added significant financial pressure at an already overwhelming time." The fundraising effort has drawn a significant response, with over 50 comments on the latest Facebook post.
Family’s Emotional and Financial Strain
The accident has had a profound impact on the family, both emotionally and financially. The grandmother’s daughter has had to stop working to care for her mother and child, resulting in a significant loss of income. The family is also facing substantial expenses, including hospital bills, travel costs, and household expenses. The emotional strain is also immense, with the family members experiencing trauma and stress as a result of the accident. The fundraising page highlights the importance of supporting the family during this difficult time, and the community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The accident and its aftermath serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible social media use and the need to allow investigations to proceed without interference. The family’s fundraising efforts and the community’s response demonstrate the power of support and solidarity in the face of adversity. As the family continues to navigate the challenges ahead, it is essential that they receive the support and resources they need to recover and rebuild. The investigation into the accident is ongoing, and it is crucial that the police are able to proceed without interference, in order to ensure that justice is served and that all parties involved are protected.