A picture of Jonathan Seidel and his 2-month-old daughter, Hazel. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Seidel Memorial Fund GoFundMe page)

A picture of Jonathan Seidel and his 2-month-old daughter, Hazel. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Seidel Memorial Fund GoFundMe page)

UPDATED: Driver in Malahat crash leaves behind wife, two-month-old daughter

Campaign has raised more than $22,000 of its $25,000 goal

  • Aug. 22, 2018 12:00 a.m.

An online fundraising campaign for the driver who died in a crash on the Malahat Highway Wednesday morning has nearly reached its goal.

In less than 24 hours, the campaign had raised more than $22,000 of its $25,000 goal. As of Friday morning, the target had been raised to $40,000.

Family members, who set up the campaign page, have identified the man as Jonathan Seidel. Funds will go towards helping his wife, Randa, cover funeral, life and baby expenses, as she cares for their two-month-old daughter, Hazel.

The two-vehicle crash occurred in the Malahat’s southbound lane, near the Goldstream Boat House. The driver of the other vehicle, a blue SUV, was assessed at the scene by paramedics.

READ MORE: Fatal sewage-truck crash closes Malahat

HAZMAT had to clean up the sewage spill before opening the highway, meaning drivers sat through significant delays.

Ryan Wettlaufer, who was was commuting from Victoria to Duncan, said he didn’t see the crash happen, but said the smell from the fluid that was leaking from the truck was unbearable.

He shot this video below.

What caused the crash remains under investigation.


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lindsey.horsting@goldstreamgazette.com

Goldstream News Gazette