A teenage boy from Dolores died Thursday in a crash outside Flagstaff while he, his brother and his father were driving to a BMX competition.
Trenton Pawlicki, 13, died in the crash. His father, Aaron Pawlicki, and 17-year-old brother, Davien Pawlicki, were injured.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Aaron Pawlicki’s brother Daniel Pawlicki shared that Aaron, Davien and Trenton were heading to the BMX World Qualifier in Phoenix when the crash took place, and they were brought to the hospital in Flagstaff where he works.
Daniel said Davien was able to pull Trenton out of the wreckage and did everything he could until EMS arrived, but “our dear little Trenton passed on the scene and went on to be with our Creator.”
Aaron is still in the hospital “fighting for his life”with a broken neck, collapsed lung, as well as damage to his liver, heart and spleen.
In his post, Daniel thanked the workers at the hospital and emergency personnel who helped save Aaron’s life.
“I cannot thank you all enough, especially my hospital family for their selfless service. God bless you guys,” Daniel said.
According to a GoFundMe set up by Kiley Lightenburger, Aaron and Davien Pawlicki were taken to the Flagstaff Medical Center. Davien Pawlicki reportedly suffered minor injuries. Aaron Pawlicki has been released from an intensive care unit but faces a lengthy recovery.
“Aaron will be out of work for sometime while tending to his injuries,” Lightenburger said. “They will have medical, funeral, and living expenses to cover over the upcoming weeks.”
Both Davien and Trenton Pawlicki attended Dolores schools.
It was unclear who was driving at the time of the crash.
An article by KNAU and Arizona News attributed the crash to winter weather conditions on Interstate 17 at Munds Park.
The Arizona Department of Safety said the black Toyota Scion hydroplaned, causing the driver to lose control. A white Toyota RAV4 then hit the side of the Scion.
According to the report, Trenton Pawlicki was sitting in the rear left passenger seat where the impact occurred. He was ejected from the vehicle, despite wearing a seat belt.
He died at the scene.
Northbound lanes on the interstate were closed for an hour.
The GoFundMe organized for the Pawlicki family has raised more than $39,000 as of this writing as the community rallies in support of the family.
A fund for the family also has been set up at Dolores State Bank.
