GoFundMe Accounts Created For 2 Teens Involved In Bel Air Car Crash

BEL AIR, MD — Two GoFundMe pages have been created for the families of the teens involved in last week's car crash.

On Sept. 18 around 2 p.m., a vehicle driven by 17-year-old Zach Griffin was waiting to turn left at MD Route 543 and Crescent Knoll Drive. Blake Elliott, 16, was a passenger in the vehicle. They were rear-ended by a 39-year-old man and pushed into oncoming traffic where they were hit by a Harford County Public School bus heading southbound on Route 543, Patch reported previously. Elliott was killed in the crash while Griffin was flown in critical condition to the hospital. Half a dozen students on the school bus also sustained minor injuries, according to the sheriff's office.

Erika Kitz's son, Charlie, is best friends with Zach Griffin. She created a GoFundMe to help support Griffin's family as he endures surgeries and ongoing medical treatments for the foreseeable future. Griffin was flown to Shock Trauma in critical condition and remains in stable but critical condition. He had surgery Monday to repair his right arm, but then needed a second chest tube inserted as his lungs being partially collapsed. He spiked a fever and remains in a lot of pain, although he continues to be intubated and sedated. He also has undergone a craniotomy, Kitz shared on the GoFundMe page.

With a goal of raising $100,000, the GoFundMe has reached $89,427 as of Sept. 23.

Olivia Dagilas, a friend of Blake Elliott, organized a GoFundMe to help the family financially. She wrote, "Blake was an amazing person and a very good friend to all. Being close with Blake and the Elliott family taught me so many things, but mainly showed me what it truly means to be loved. I wanted to start this GoFundMe to help out the Elliott family with financial and emotional support. Thank you for everyone who is helping and supporting during this time. Prayers for the Elliotts❤️❤️."

With a goal of $85,000, the GoFundMe for Elliott's family has raised $127,519 as of Sept. 23.

Hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil mourning the loss of Blake Elliott that was held last week.

"This means so much to us," Elliott's father said while addressing the crowd at the vigil Friday night. "Make no mistake about it, we're devastated, but you guys helped put us back together."