The West Contra Costa school community is mourning after a car crash in Oregon killed a local teen and left his father and sister with major injuries. The accident happened Monday, April 6, at 3 p.m. on Interstate 5 near Canyonville as the family traveled for spring break.
According to the Oregon State Police, 18-year-old Davin Jack Smith of El Sobrante was driving a maroon Honda CRV northbound when it struck a stalled Freightliner semi-truck. The truck had stalled in the outside lane on an uphill grade several times before the collision. The impact caused the Honda and the truck’s cargo to catch fire. Davin was pronounced deceased at the scene.
His father, Lawrence Wayne Smith Jr., and his twin sister, Annika Jace Smith, were both flown by helicopter to hospitals with serious injuries. Lawrence, a longtime teacher in the West Contra Costa School District, is currently in a specialty burn unit. A third passenger, 19-year-old Ivan Amadeo Gonzalez of Hercules, was taken to a hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.
The driver of the semi-truck, a 61-year-old man from San Diego, was not injured. Oregon State Police arrested the truck driver for driving under the influence and manslaughter, as they believe impairment contributed to the crash.
The mother of the family, Elizabeth Sibitz, is a special education teacher at Valley View Elementary. She has been a leader in the school community for over 10 years and served as the Parents’ Club president. She traveled to Oregon on Tuesday to be with her family.
Friends have started a GoFundMe page to help with the sudden costs. The money will go toward funeral expenses for Davin and medical bills for Lawrence and Annika. Since both parents are teachers and cannot work right now, the funds will also help with basic bills.
School Board Trustee Demetrio Gonzalez-Hoy asked the community to donate and keep the Sibitz-Smith family in their thoughts.