Hi everyone,
I’m reaching out on behalf of my brother and sister-in-law, Gaetano and Maria Modica, who were involved in a horrific car accident on Sunday, June 8th, around 1:40 PM.
They were on a day date, headed north while their 3.5-year-old daughter was home safe with grandma. While driving on a two-way road with a passing lane, they found themselves behind a semi-truck that began driving erratically—braking suddenly, swerving, speeding up, and slowing down. Concerned for their safety, Gaetano attempted to pull over, unaware that the bend in the road blocked his view of oncoming traffic.
At that moment, another vehicle—a minivan—was also trying to pull over from the opposite direction, and the two cars collided head-on.
The impact was catastrophic.
Gaetano and Maria were trapped inside their smoking vehicle. Both tried desperately to escape, suffering cuts, bruises, and broken bones. Thankfully, several good Samaritans stopped to help—smashing the windows and pulling them to safety. Maria was unresponsive.
Paramedics arrived after 40 agonizing minutes. Maria was airlifted to the nearest Level 1 trauma center, while Gaetano was initially taken to Prescott Hospital and later transferred to St. Joseph’s for emergency surgery due to the severity of his injuries.
Gaetano sustained a shattered and dislocated shoulder, a severe concussion, and multiple other injuries. Maria also suffered a serious concussion, a badly broken ankle requiring surgery, and bruises and lacerations across her body.
This accident has left them both physically broken and emotionally shaken. They now face a long road to recovery—one filled with surgeries, rehabilitation, trauma, and time away from their daughter, their work, and their daily lives.
We’re asking for your help.
Please consider donating whatever you can to help ease the financial burden of medical bills, transportation, lost wages, and the many unexpected costs that come with such a traumatic event. More than anything, we ask for your prayers—for healing, for strength, and for peace.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, support, and generosity during this incredibly difficult time.
With gratitude,
Antonella Padilla
