Lily Massey’s dad, Joe, died in the Friday, Sept. 11 collision — just a year after her mom, Heather, died from kidney cancer
Credit: Givebutter
NEED TO KNOW
- A 7-year-old girl who was left hospitalized in critical condition following a California crash that killed her father also lost her mother to kidney cancer last year
- Lily Massey survived the wrong-way crash that killed her dad, Joe Massey, and is now without both parents
- A fundraiser has raised over $70,000 to support Lily’s recovery and her grandparents’ expenses as they travel from Texas to care for her
A 7-year-old girl who has been left hospitalized following a crash that killed her father also lost her mother to cancer last year.
The crash occurred in Lake Forest, a city in Orange County, Calif., at about 10:35 p.m. local time on Friday, Sept. 11, with police saying the collision was caused by a wrong-way driver.
A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer said a woman was driving an SUV the wrong way in a southbound lane when she crashed into a BMW sedan driven by a male. The drivers, who both died, were identified as Norma Herrera, 57, and Joe Massey, 39. A 7-year-old girl, who was sitting in the passenger seat of the sedan, was hospitalized.
A verified Givebutter fundraiser identified Joe’s daughter, Lily Massey, as the passenger in the BMW and stated that she was hospitalized in critical condition. A CHP officer confirmed to PEOPLE on Thursday, Sept. 17, that the 7-year-old remained in the hospital in a “critical but stable condition.”
Credit: Givebutter
According to the fundraiser, which has raised more than $70,000 as of Friday, Sept. 18, Joe’s death came a year after Lily lost her mother, Heather Massey, to kidney cancer.
Credit: Getty
“Now, facing an unimaginable road ahead, Lily is fighting to recover without her parents by her side,” the fundraiser stated, explaining that the third-grader’s grandparents have taken over her care, traveling from Texas to “be at her bedside, manage her medical care and support her long-term recovery and future.”
Lily’s uncle, Zach Massey, shared in a Facebook post that he was also supporting his niece during her time in the hospital, and said that “every surgery brings her closer to recovery.”
The fundraiser is raising money for Lily’s medical and recovery expenses, her grandparents’ travel and living costs and the 7-year-old’s future.
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“Lily has shown incredible strength, but her family cannot do this alone,” it continued.
“Please keep Lily, her grandparents, and the Massey family in your thoughts and prayers, the fundraiser’s description added.
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