A California fire captain lost his three children and ex-wife in a car crash and his fire station is asking the community for support, according to local reports.
Steve Biakanja (San Jose fire captain), lost his twin girls, 14 and 12, to his son and ex-wife, on Sunday. KTVU.
According to the outlet, the children — Leigh, Lucy, and Ben — were returning from Casa de Fruta, where they had spent the day and had dinner with their mother, Lisa, at the time of the collision.
According to KTVU, the collision happened when a 2014 Tesla crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a tractor-trailer.
According to KSBWBiakanja was driving an older model Tesla that did not have a self-driving mechanism. The reason behind the car’s drift into traffic is unknown, and an investigation is ongoing.
According to the school district’s message, all three children were enrolled at Carmel Middle School.
“It is with deep sadness that we inform you about a recent loss to our school community. Last night, August 14, 2022, Lucy, Leigh and Ben Biakanja, along with their mother, passed away in a car accident,” Principal Dan Morgan wrote on Monday.
Tatiana Evanoff, a best friend of the sisters, told KSBW, “It’s like I can’t even believe it it’s happening, and they’re gone and I just can’t believe it.
“A big part of my life is gone now,” she continued. “Who should I call when I have an issue? They were too quick”
“It just seems you go along, and then it’s like they’re really not coming back, they’re not going to come back, the house is going to be empty,” Ken McIntire, the children’s step-grandfather, told the outlet.
According to the outlet, staff and students of Carmel Middle School were notified of the tragedy Monday morning. To help the school cope with the loss, grief counselors and other mental health experts were brought in to support.
“Certainly tragic news, and our hearts go out to the family and our community and what we immediately look to do is look to see how we can support their fellow students, our staff and our community and do what we always do in education, which is pull together,” said Ted Knight, superintendent for the Carmel Unified School District.
To help support their father, Biakanja’s fire station started a fundraising effort to help “ease the burden of this tragedy and to honor the memory of his beloved children,” According to the GoFundMe page, the station.
“In the wake of great tragedy, San Jose Fire Station 16 is asking for your support to raise funds for Captain Steve Biakanja as he navigates a new reality,”A message appears on the fundraising page.
“The funds raised will be used to cover the children’s funeral costs, as well as counseling, meals, and various other forms of support.”
The station members shared some of the Biakanja children’s interests: Lucy was an animal lover and was raising doves and chickens; Leigh was a Sea Cadet, and Ben had a collection of WWII memorabilia.
“At San Jose Fire, each member of the team is considered family, and in times of need, a family must stand together,”The station wrote.
“Captain Biakanja has stood guard for his community for years, living out the department’s creed of, ‘For the Kids,’ in service to his people. In his time of need, we ask for your assistance for his kids,”The fundraiser post is here.
“With your help, we can do our best to ease the burden of this tragedy and to honor the memory of his beloved children.”
On Monday, the page had raised $240,000 from its $250,000 goal. Biakanja sent a thank you note to the station.
According to GoFundMe Biakanja was, “humbled by the kindness and generosity during his time of need.”
Captain believes that the money raised will be sufficient for his current needs. Therefore, he is looking at how to give any remaining donations back to the community.
“San Jose Fire Station 16 would like to extend our warmest gratitude to everyone who has donated on behalf of Captain Steve Biakanja and his wife, Thuan,”They wrote.
“Thank you to all who have shared messages of sympathy, comfort, strength, and hope during this time. The outpouring of love and support for OUR brother is heartwarming and awe-inspiring.”