Skip to content

Yukoners raise funds for crash victims' families

Yukoners are fundraising to help families affected by last weekend's deadly crash. There were four young people in a Honda Accord in the early hours of Saturday.
p2accidentmemorial1

Yukoners are fundraising to help families affected by last weekend’s deadly crash.

There were four young people in a Honda Accord in the early hours of Saturday when it turned into the path of a transport truck.

The accident took the lives of Clare Cherepak, 15, and Brendan Kinney, 20.

Derrick Gibbons, 18, was medevaced to Vancouver General Hospital following the crash.

“Derrick’s family has asked to let everyone know he is still in critical but stable condition and is staying strong,” a representative of the family said Thursday.

“Derrick’s family’s thoughts and prayers go out to the other victims and their families at this difficult time.”

The 15-year-old driver of the car was treated for injuries at Whitehorse General Hospital and released.

The driver of the truck was not harmed.

A website, www.prayersforourfriends.com, has been set up to collect donations for the Kinney and the Gibbons families.

“If you have found your way to this page you are more than likely aware of the tragedy that happened here in Whitehorse Saturday, Aug. 9,” reads the website.

“This page has been started to help the families impacted by the event. Special thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with all of the families during this time of sorrow.”

Donations can be made online through PayPal, or in person at the Scotiabank in Whitehorse.

For both families, use transit #70920 and institution #002.

For the Kinneys, ask for account #0519820. Any money donated to that family will help them with the unexpected costs associated with Brendan’s passing.

For the Gibbons, use account #0520624. Money donated to the Gibbons will help them with the costs of Derrick’s ongoing recovery.

A memorial has sprung up for the victims at the site of the crash, where the Alaska Highway meets Robert Service Way.

Well-wishers have left flowers and notes. A sign with “Brendan” in big block letters has been put up.

A memorial service for Clare Cherepak was held yesterday at Vanier Catholic Secondary School, where she was a student.

Her family requested that well-wishers donate to the Whitehorse Food Bank or Blood Ties Four Directions instead of bringing flowers, “to honour Clare’s compassionate and giving nature.”

Vanier and Porter Creek Secondary School have opened their doors this week to those affected by the deaths.

Kinney graduated from Porter Creek in 2012.

Counsellors are on hand at both schools until 4 p.m. today.

Contact Jacqueline Ronson at

jronson@yukon-news.com