Carson City family seriously injured in wreck

Two fundraisers are set for a Carson City family involved in a crash in Klamath Falls, Oregon, on July 29

The crash involved the family of Brian Smithwich, a longtime employee of the Department of Taxation, and Kristyn Smithwich, a longtime state employee with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The family’s van was broadsided, causing it to roll several times. Brian’s daughter, Gabrielle Smithwich, formerly of Carson City and living in Albany, Oregon, died in the crash. She had turned 17 on July 25.

Kristyn’s children, Jonathan Francone, 16, and Kaitlyn Francone, 11, were seriously injured. All three children were airlifted to Oregon State University Health and Sciences Hospital in Portland.

Gabrielle died in surgery and Jonathan, a Carson High student and member of the Carson High Band, is in critical condition in the ICU trauma unit. He suffered major brain injuries, a ruptured spleen which was removed, several broken ribs and a shattered leg.

Kaitlyn was released and returned to Carson City with her father, Anthony Francone, a member of the Storey County Sheriff’s Office.

Brian suffered a lacerated spleen and broken ribs and was released from Klamath Falls Sky Lakes Hospital late last week. Brian and Kristyn are still at OSU while Jonathan is trying to recover.

A fundraiser will be held from 5-9 p.m. Wedensday, Aug. 8 at Firehouse Subs on Highway 50 in Carson City. Another fundraiser will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Westside Pour House, 110 W. Telegraph St.

Gabrielle’s memorial is Tuesday, Aug. 7 in Albany with Assum-Dufour Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

There’s also a gofundme page, www.gofundme.com/brian-amp-kristyn smithwick with a goal of $50,000.

There is a page for Gabrielle’s mother, Joanna Paetz, in Albany: www.paypal.me/joanna paetz.