$25k raised for daughter of Klickitat County Asst. Fire Chief following horrific car crash on Satus Pass; GoFundMe

From Jeff Platt with additions by Tom Peterson:

Joe and Megan Burgess were on their way home from Yakima Saturday when they were in a devastating accident on Satus Pass. Megan, the daughter of Klickitat County Assistant Fire Chief Todd Kindler, was lifeflighted to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Joe also suffered severe injuries and was taken to a separate hospital. They have undergone multiple surgeries and there are still more to come.

“Ashley Gagau, 25, of Goldendale was driving a 2002 Chevy Avalanche north when she lost control, crossed the center line and hit a 2007 Toyota Corolla that was driving south,” according to a Washington State Patrol news release in the Yakima Herald.

“She was taken to Mid-Columbia Medical Center, according to hospital officials the Herald reported.

The Toyota's driver Joe Burgess and passenger Megan Burgess, both 25, were taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center and MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital, respectively. Megan Burgess was transported to Harborview Medical Center where she is in serious condition in the ICU, a spokesperson said.

"The hospital thinks it will be several months before Megan can even go home and they both have a long road to recovery," Kindler's colleagues at Klickitat County Rural 7 Fire and Rescue wrote on GoFundMe. "We are asking for your help for this amazing family, who gives so much to the community and has been forever changed by this tragic event."

The community has quickly stepped up to help Joe and Megan, as well as their families, get through this extraordinarily difficult situation. In just one day well over $25,000 has been raised to cover their medical and travel expenses.

To view the GoFundMe, please visit: https://gf.me/v/c/p4hg/megan-and-joe-burgess-medical-expenses