On Saturday June 18th my sister, brother in law and 2 beautiful nieces, Lydia and Molly, were enjoying a family day together at Patagonia Lake. While on the lake in their small inflatable row boat, an reckless speeding motorboat suddenly turned and ran directly over / in to them. The driver of the boat did not stop or offer any assistance, but instead fled the scene leaving my family broken, bleeding, and likely to die in the water.

Miraculously with the help of some amazing witnesses who came to help and pull them from the water, they all survived. My nieces were both air lifted to the hospital via helicopter and my sister was taken via ambulance.

They have all suffered severe mental and physical trauma. My sister is still in the hospital and has a shattered left leg and knee, and multiple breaks in her pelvis and sacrum. The swelling in her leg is far too much to be able to operate to repair the damages - so she has had her first of many surgeries to place a stabilizing rod externally through her leg for support until the swelling goes down, which could take weeks. She had chest pains and ended up needing o2 and a blood transfusion due to too much blood loss. The rest of her body is badly bruised and scraped as well and she has a long road of surgeries and physical therapy for recovery.

My beautiful niece Lydia suffered a concussion and temporary memory loss. She has many bumps and bruises, and has burns down her back (her clothes that were cut off at the hospital were melted and singed along the back) She has been discharged from the hospital but is still healing and the mental trauma she suffered is already heartbreaking to see. She has a nightmare last night while I was caring for her and Molly.

My brother in law Kai has a gash in his jaw / cheek that required numerous stitches. When the boat was coming towards them he instinctually put his hand up to block it , and his hand was hit back towards his face so hard, his own thumb ripped a hole all the way through his cheek and broke some teeth. He’s got a lot of pain and has been so busy trying to care for his family he’s not yet been fully evaluated himself.

My sweetest little angel youngest niece Molly suffered a severe laceration across her right eye / face and forehead that will require plastic surgery. It is down to the bone and required an hour and a half of stitching to get it closed (2 layers of stitches, one for muscle and one for skin). She has a concussion, a broken bone in her face below her eye, and a broken finger. She has many contusions and cuts and is in so much pain, but despite her own suffering has constantly been trying to comfort others, telling everyone it would be ok and asking to care for her family.

Even with insurance, the medical bills and expenses that have been paid are in the tens of thousands of dollars already and it’s only been 3 days. There is much ongoing care and surgeries that will be needed and the costs will be astronomical. Kai is unable to work while healing and caring for his family, and my sister is unlikely to be able to work any time in the foreseeable future.

Absolutely anything you could do to help them would be unbelievably appreciated, whether monetary or just sending continued prayers and sharing this fund and their story.

Thank you all for your support.