A GoFundMe campaign has been set up by friends of 18-year-old Anthony Gauci, a Coombs teen who is currently hospitalized at Vancouver Regional Hospital following a single-vehicle crash on Vancouver Island.
The accident, which occurred on January 25th, has left Anthony with a severe fracture to his L-1 vertebrae. Emergency surgery was required to stabilize his condition, and while his strength and resilience are already showing, the road to recovery is expected to be long and challenging.
According to the GoFundMe page, which was created by friends Addison Robertson and Maddex Yochim, the crash happened while the vehicle was coming off the inland highway merging onto Memorial Avenue, en route to Qualicum Beach.
Anthony was a passenger in the back seat. The driver emerged uninjured, and another passenger required stitches in his head.
Rumours initially circulated that the driver had a suspended licence and that the truck might not have been insured—circumstances that would leave Anthony without the financial support normally provided by ICBC. However, Oceanside RCMP have provided a contrasting account.
Sergeant Shane Worth from the Oceanside RCMP detachment confirmed to Victoria Buzz that officers attended the scene at approximately 4:47 p.m. on the northbound Exit 60 off ramp from Highway 19.
“I have no information indicating impairment was a factor in this crash,” which was brought up but not confirmed.
He also confirmed that the vehicle was insured and noted that no charges have been laid, although the crash remains under investigation.
The GoFundMe campaign aims to cover the mounting medical bills, including ambulance fees and the extensive physiotherapy that Anthony will require.
Addison said with no family support to rely on and an expected three-month period away from work—further complicated by his inability to drive as per doctors’ instructions—Anthony faces significant financial challenges during his recovery.
“Let’s show Anthony that he’s not alone—he’s part of a community that cares. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will go directly to helping Anthony recover and get back on his feet,” read the GoFundMe.
Anthony will be relocating to his grandmother’s home to benefit from her support during his recovery.
At the time of publication, the campaign had raised $1,180 toward its $10,000 goal.
