Family members remember carefree days by the pool, filled with laughter and silly dances. Now, they’re clinging to one another for strength as they grieve the death of one teen and pray for another still fighting for his life in the ICU.
Kayden Coombs, 18, and his cousin, Killian Salsman, 17, were two of the people involved in a single-car crash on Route 28 north at the 55.6-mile marker in Falmouth around 4 p.m. on March 28. Coombs — who was driving the car — was rushed to a nearby hospital and declared dead.
Salsman has remained in the ICU since the crash. He had multiple broken bones, including his pelvis and leg. He had facial injuries and will require multiple surgeries.
Another passenger was also taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries, state police said.
Salsman has already had one of the surgeries and “had a couple of good days,” his aunt Jean Calvert-McClure told MassLive. But then he had another setback.
“No one should bury their kid. No one should see their kid go through this,” Calvert-McClure said.
More than cousins
It made sense that Salsman and Coombs were in the car together on March 28 — they had grown up side by side.
“The cousins are more like siblings,” Calvert-McClure said through tears.
She remembers them always joking and being “goobers.” They often played in the pool, did the chicken dance, played cards and ate chicken stir-fry.
The entire family is close.
“We’re a tight family. We’re really tight,” she said, her voice cracking.
After losing her son, Coombs, Kristie Rego posted on Facebook asking people to help Salsman’s family by donating to a GoFundMe.
“Time and time again, tragedy has struck our family, testing our hearts and our strength. Yet, through every storm, we stand together — unshaken in our love, unbreakable in our bond. No matter how deep the pain, we lift each other up, hold each other close and face the darkness as one,“ she wrote. ”Though our hearts are heavy with grief, we find strength in each other ... Our family is built on unshakable foundations of support and faith, and no tragedy can take that away from us."
She said Salsman’s family is going through an “an unimaginable battle” and also asked for prayers.
Looking back on joyful memories also helps.
Coombs was remembered for embracing the world with kindness and laughter.
“Kayden was a beacon of love, joy, and wisdom far beyond his years. With a heart as big as the sky, he embraced the world with kindness, laughter, and an unshakable warmth that touched everyone he met. Kayden’s humor could brighten even the darkest days, and his natural charisma made him a magnet for love and friendship,” his obituary read.
Family and friends said his time on Earth was “far too short.” Still, “the impact he made will never fade.”
“His Spirit lives on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know him, a reminder that love, kindness, and authenticity are the greatest legacies of all,” the obituary read.
The family also has fond memories of their annual camping trip on Penikese Island.
Coombs also enjoyed hockey, baseball, soccer, Taekwondo, drawing and rapping to Eminem. He went on fishing trips with his father. As he got older, learned to love cooking.
“They are a lot of fun,” Calvert-McClure said. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe they’re young adults at the point.”
On Friday’s, Calvert-McClure remembers Coombs coming over to her house for the chicken stir-fry and a game of Magic: The Gathering, a strategic card game with a fantasy theme.
The card game wasn’t something Calvert-McClure would normally do. But she learned it for him.
“I’m not really that good, but I tried,” she said. “And he’d be like, ‘Sorry, auntie, you’re going down.‘”
She’d respond: “You’re gonna pick on your old aunt? Really?”
But she loved every minute of it.
“I’m gonna miss that,” she said.
Finances
Two GoFundMe fundraisers are helping the two families as they work to get back on their feet.
“Everybody needs help sometimes,” said Calvert-McClure.
The GoFundMe for Salsman and his family is hoping to raise $20,000 so his parents can focus on his recovery and supporting his younger brother, Tavian, “without the added stress of financial difficulties.”
As of Thursday, it has raised about $6,000.
Salsman’s parents have been able to take time off of work to focus on their son. But the recovery won’t be short.
“They still have bills to pay. They have another son to feed, and so that’s why I started the GoFundMe,” Calvert-McClure.
They’ve also been battling with insurance to provide a wheelchair for Salsman since he can’t walk. That process, Calvert-McClure, hasn’t been easy.
Their journey won’t end when Salsman is able to leave the hospital either. They’ll have to modify their home due to a number of stairs, his aunt said.
The GoFundMe for Coombs' family will allow them to “focus on grieving and supporting each other.”
As of Thursday morning, it raised more than $19,000 with more than 200 donations. The fundraiser’s goal is $20,000.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing with us, for lifting us up, and for reminding us that we are not alone,” Coombs’ mom Kristie Rego wrote on Facebook. “Your support has been a true blessing, and we are forever grateful.”
Gratitude
It’s not just financial help that the families are asking for. They also need community love and prayers.
“My heart is so empty and heavy but yet filled with gratitude for the overwhelming love, support, prayers, and generosity shown to my family during this incredibly difficult time,“ Rego wrote. ”Losing my son has been an unimaginable pain that I unfortunately know too well, but your kindness has provided comfort and strength when we needed it most. Every message, every prayer, every hug, every donation, and every act of love has meant more than words can express.”
The words of encouragement help them keep going.
“We’re just in a really bad place and any help that people can give, we’re so grateful for prayers and words of encouragement — support, even if it’s not financial,” said their aunt said. “Especially these days, we really have to lift each other up and hold each other up.”
She’s been amazed at how many people have taken time out of their day to help them. She struggled to express what that has meant to the family.
“There’s no way to put that into words,” she said.
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