Title: Tragic Accident in South Carolina: Colombian Man Dies, Wife Seeks Help for Funeral
Meta Description: A Colombian man died in a car accident in South Carolina, leaving his wife and children behind. She’s seeking help for funeral expenses.
Article:
A tragic car accident in Greenville County, South Carolina, left a Colombian man dead and his wife severely injured. The couple, identified as Javier Visbal Ortega and Karen Valdivieso Rodado, were returning from a work trip when their vehicle was rear-ended, causing Javier to lose control and crash into the highway median. Javier succumbed to his injuries, while Karen miraculously survived with minor injuries.
According to Karen’s sister, Karol Valdivieso Rodado, the couple was returning home from a trip when another vehicle, driven by a 20-year-old individual allegedly under the influence of alcohol and drugs, collided into their car. The impact caused Javier to lose control, leading to the fatal crash.
Karen described the traumatizing incident to her sister, "The car spun out and hit the median on Javier’s side. I felt like I was going to die, but when I opened my eyes, I saw my hands and remembered I was alive." She also shared that Javier, in his final moments, asked her to take care of their two children, a 12-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy.
Firefighters and paramedics arrived at the scene five minutes after the crash and had to rush Karen out of the vehicle as it began to catch fire. Both Karen and the suspected driver were transported to a nearby hospital.
Javier and Karen moved to South Carolina from Barranquilla, Colombia, a year ago in search of better opportunities. Javier, known for his graphic design skills, was well-liked in the community and immigrants in South Carolina referred to him as ‘The Costeño of the Photos.’ Karen is currently receiving support from her sister and the community.
The family has since set up a GoFundMe and Nequi account to help cover funeral expenses, as Javier was the primary provider for his family. The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate the incident.
Colombian and South Carolina communities have been sharing condolences and support for the family, as they mourn the loss of Javier and pray for Karen’s swift recovery.
Keywords: Car accident, South Carolina, Colombian man dies, Javier Visbal Ortega, Karen Valdivieso Rodado, funeral expenses, GoFundMe
*bibliography:
- EL TIEMPO, "Accidente en Carolina del Sur: colombiano muere y su esposa buscando ayuda para las honras fúnebres"
