Tragic news emerges from Brick, New Jersey, as the family of a young woman confirms she has been taken off life support following a devastating crash in Ocean County.
Catalina Reinoso, a recent graduate of Brick Township High School in 2023, was airlifted to a nearby hospital after the accident occurred in Manchester early on Sunday, April 14, according to details shared on a GoFundMe fundraiser.
While official details about the crash remain undisclosed, Bryan Huntenburg, spokesperson for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, stated to New Jersey 101.5 on Tuesday that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
A photo shared by Tri-County Scanner News on Facebook depicted a silver vehicle overturned in front of the Manchester Emergency Services building at 82 Lacey Road in Whiting, capturing the aftermath of the tragic event.
Reinoso’s condition took a dire turn as doctors discovered she had suffered severe brain damage from seizures immediately following the crash. Despite medical efforts, she remained on life support in the ICU for nearly a week, as revealed by David Uriarte, creator of the GoFundMe campaign.
In a heart-wrenching update, Reinoso’s sister, Valentina Reinoso, disclosed that Catalina was declared brain-dead at 2:19 p.m. on April 19. In solidarity with her wishes and as a testament to Catalina’s altruism, the family made the decision to donate her organs, potentially saving the lives of nine individuals.
“With heavy hearts, we escorted her into the operating room where her organs were harvested to offer hope to others. At this time, we are unable to provide further details, but Catalina’s spirit lives on,” expressed Valentina Reinoso.
The GoFundMe initiative, aiming to support the family during this difficult time, had garnered a total of $17,392 in donations as of Wednesday afternoon, reflecting the community’s outpouring of support and condolences.
