GoFundMe page started to support families of Mitazaki's fatal car crash
By The Nelson Daily Staff
A GoFundMe page has been created by the Kootenay Bakery to support the extended family of a Nelson household who was involved in a horrific accident near Hills on Friday, July 5, 2024.
RCMP said a passenger truck, travelling with four occupants from Nelson who were beginning a camping trip, was involved in a fatal accident on Highway 6 south of Nakusp Friday afternoon.
Kyohei (known as Kyo) Mitazaki, his wife Rena and their six-year-old daughter Asahi and one-year-old son Jin were killed when the truck they were travelling in and collided with the semi-trailer.
Cpl. James Grandy said in a RCMP media release that the investigation so far indicates the passenger truck crossed the center line and the driver of the semi-truck attempted to avoid a collision, but his B-trailer hit the ditch, causing the semi to flip and its load to collide with the passenger truck.
“Kyo was a dedicated father and baker at the Kootenay Bakery Café Cooperative and could be relied upon to offer a helping hand to anyone in need,” the GoFundMe page said.
“Rena was a wonderful mother to her two young children and a calm, warm presence. Asahi was artistically gifted and going into Grade 1 at Hume School and Jin was a happy, inquisitive toddler.”
The GoFundMe page said the family was adventurous, taking their camper to a different campground every weekend and always living life to its full potential.
“In an effort to support their family members to travel from their home country Japan to Nelson, BC, we have started this GoFundMe to cover travel expenses and accommodation costs in order to give their family members an opportunity to come to Nelson to mourn and celebrate these truly beautiful and kind people,” the GoFundMe page said.
“Thank you for your support.”
Hills is small community located 30 kilometres south of Nakusp and 115 km north of Nelson.
RCMP said the highway was closed for 11 hours to facilitate the investigation and clearing of the debris.
The GoFundMe page has raised more than $16,500.
