Squamish residents have opened their wallets as well as their hearts to help crash victims and their families.
A GoFundMe campaign, "Fund for Squamish Accident Victims," has raised more than $60,000 in the months since the Jan. 2 collision on Highway 99 that left two local men dead and five other members of the Squamish Indo-Canadian community injured. The initial goal was to raise $25,000. The most recent target was $50,000. Donations are still be accepted.
The Indo-Canadian community in Squamish donated a total of $6,000 in cash, according to the crowdfunding site.
A trust fund established by Squamish lawyer Douglas Chiasson will be used to distribute the funds to victims and the families of those who died.
The accident occurred when a van and pickup truck smashed head-on at the Cheekye River Bridge.
RCMP told The Chief at the time that the northbound pickup truck had crossed the highway's centre line and collided with the minivan carrying seven people heading back to Squamish from Whistler.
Squamish resident Gagan Chagger also launched an online petition titled "Highway improvements needed" in the wake of the crash. The petition asks Claire Trevena, current Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, to improve safety on the Sea to Sky Highway.ˇ
As of April 19, the petition had almost reached its goal of 5,000 signatures.
Chagger and Chiasson did not immediately respond to The Chief's requests for comment for this story.
