RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Barely three weeks ago, three families with teenagers involved in a horrific car accident were mostly strangers -- only their children knew each other. Thursday night, they gathered to talk, eat and tell stories as one big family united first through tragedy and later by community.
"He's definitely missed. Been my best friend my whole life," said Stan Rock, who was visibly emotional when asked about his 15-year-old son, Braden.
Braden was killed in a car accident on Sept. 29. He was in a car with his 17-year-old sister, Faith, who was driving, and with friends Katie Williams and Skyla Kirby, both 16 years old. Around 7 a.m., on their way back from an early morning Bible reading, their lives would change forever.
Troopers with the North Carolina Highway Patrol said Faith, who was at the wheel, took a left turn a bit too early on the very busy Capital Boulevard in Wake Forest, near Caveness Farm Avenue. Braden did not survive, and the girls suffered serious and critical injuries.
They were all taken to WakeMed where their families would meet for the first time.
"I never will forget Stan," said Rick Williams, Katie's father. "He lost a son, who he obviously loved a great deal. His daughter was in bad shape, and yet he was wandering the halls, and he wanted to find Katie. He wanted to see how Katie was, and he came in that Monday afternoon and he just collapsed at the bed on his knees, crying over my daughter, saying 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.' I will never forget that moment because that is pure love. He represents pure love."
Skyla Kirby's father, Brian, recalled what it was like seeing his daughter for the first time after the accident that morning,
"It's helpless. I did three combat tours," said Brian. "I've helped people get evacuated from the battlefield, calm, collected. I knew what to do. When it's your own child laying there in almost a medically induced coma so she can heal, you're helpless."
Since then the surprising outpouring of support from not just loved ones, but also strangers in the community, helped the families somewhat deal with the pain of loss and injuries.
"I don't think words can express how much I think I've seen as a community, as a whole, come together just over something like this. I didn't think that existed anymore," said Stan Rock. "To me, it's been beyond amazing. I've had more offers for things than we're able to let people help with."
"Not since 9/11 have I experienced anything like it," said Williams, "To have hundreds, if not thousands of people, praying for us and sending text messages and Facebook posts and flowers and come by the hospital."
Soon after the accident, Brian Kirby's sister-in-law started an online donation site to help all three families with funeral and medical expenses. The goal is $20,000. Before Thursday, more than $14,000 had been raised.
To help boost that number, Tracy Davie, the general manger of the Macaroni Grill in Cary, decided to step in to help. She lives in the same community as the families and was so touched by their story she reached out to the general manager of the Macaroni Grill in Triangle Town Center, Gary Winston, for help. Together they planned a fundraiser at that location, and donated a portion of Thursday's profits to the families.
"Two weeks prior to this accident, my wife and I were driving around looking to move, out of state. After this experience, I can't move. There is no way. The community has just seared my soul with their love," said Williams.
To donate: https://www.crowdrise.com/rockkirbyandwilliams/fundraiser/juliadeaver
The families hoped the driver of the second car involved in the accident, 17-year-old Oscar Rodriquez-Villa, could also attend Thursday's fundraiser. They say they've reached out but have not yet been able to make contact, but stress he's in their thoughts.