Outpouring of support for victims of Highway 99 crash

An outpouring of support came in Squamish on Wednesday as the community gathered to remember the victims of a tragic crash on Highway 99.

On Nov. 26, a drive down Highway 99 took the lives of Karen Portillo’s 22-year-old son Josafat, two-year-old granddaughter Natalia, and Josafat’s brother-in-law, James Paguia, weeks before Christmas.

“Two weeks ago they came over and it was a beautiful moment,” Portillo said.

The viewing was held in a Squamish funeral home on Wednesday as people gathered to remember lives lost and stand with those left behind.

Paguia’s friend Cosmin Iatcu says it has been a really hard time for the family.

“They are nice people, they help others. They were really humble too,” he said.

Amidst the grief, the Paguia-Portillo family is grateful to the community.

Last week, Karen Portillo started a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs. Her online fundraiser reached almost $100,000 in donations within days.

“I’m just grateful and I’m like, ‘Wow, it reached a lot of people, people I don’t know,” she said. “I’m amazed how much that story reached a lot of people.”

A funeral service is scheduled this weekend, and a celebration of life on Sunday to remember the short life shared by the three victims.

“I’m gonna miss my son, I’m gonna miss my granddaughter. but I know they’re in a better place,” said Portillo

Whistler Community Services provided a temporary home for Portillo, as going back home can trigger painful memories.

Some hotels in the area also opened their doors, providing accommodations to loved ones who travelled to Whistler to see the victims one last time.

“Whistler is such a small community when it comes to locals and it’s important to be there for everyone,” Iatcu added.