Support Zack Chellew Tragic Accident Recovery

Our dear family friend, Zack Chellew (Nikki & Martyn’s son) was the victim of a severe car accident on Friday, March 24. His life is irrevocably altered by this horrific accident at the young age of 17 yet he manages to keep a smile on his face despite catastrophic injuries.

Please join us in holding Zack in your heart as he bravely faces the long road ahead. He is a bright light to everyone in his orbit, despite having had a rough year by most accounts. All money raised with this campaign will go directly toward Zack's medical expenses and recovery. As you can imagine, the bills associated with the accident will be costly. Your generosity is much appreciated to help give the family relief and time to focus on healing for Zack.

Support the Chellew family however you can. We would be grateful if you could share this fundraiser and/or contribute. Your contributions make a difference in Zack's life and his future. As anyone who knows Zack knows, he is the joy and heart of every room, and he's been that way since he was born. While Zack will never fully recover, he is still the same kid who is all heart, deeply grateful, & enormously lucky to have you all rooting for him.

Update (3/31): Thank you so much to those who have already given and supported Zack the past week. Your generosity means the world to Nikki and Martyn as they are by his side in the ICU. His light continues to shine bright throughout this situation, and his kind soul is getting us all through this incredibly hard time. Zack is truly overwhelmed by the support and momentum here- wow! Zack is focused on beating the odds.

Accident Details:

He was in his truck traveling west on Highway 202 near Fish Hatchery Road in Fall City, when a driver hit him head-on, severely crushing his legs in the wheel well. 

His vehicle was on fire. Several heroic citizens on the scene managed to pull him out, thus saving his life. We are so grateful for their quick thinking and actions. He was immediately transported to Harborview and is in the intensive care unit. He is undergoing surgery(ies) on both lower extremities, has internal bleeding in his liver & spleen, and a fracture of one of his cervical vertebrae. 

The road to recovery will be long, but everyone who knows Zack knows that if anyone can endure the multiple surgeries and ongoing rehabilitation with a smile on his face, it is him. He had brain surgery last year to relieve cranial pressure due to his recently diagnosed hydrocephalus, which he took like a champion despite the significant pain. This accident prolongs such a hard period in Zack’s life at a very young age, but he’s keeping his spirits high and has his family by his side.

Team Red Hat raising funds

Zack and his dad before surgery to treat hydrocephalus in 2022

Letters of reassurance can be sent via snailmail to PO Box 725, Fall City, WA 98024. Once Zack is home from the hospital in a few weeks, I’m sure care packages and perhaps visits will be welcome, but for now we ask that you give the family some space to navigate the new normal they are facing.