Two Korean students were involved in a tragic car accident in Iowa that resulted in one fatality and another critically injured. To help cover funeral expenses for the deceased and medical costs for the injured, a GoFundMe page has been set up to encourage donations.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, the incident occurred when a car traveling southbound on Sumner Avenue in the Creston area lost control, colliding with a parked car and crashing into the exterior walls of nearby homes around 9:43 p.m. on August 5.
The accident has left the community in mourning, as college colleagues Myung Jo Kang (26) and Young Seok Moon (27) were both involved. They were fulfilling their college internship requirements ahead of the upcoming fall semester at Iowa State University.
In response to the tragic news, the Korean and Ames/Des Moines communities have united to extend condolences and support to the grieving families. Young Seok Moon tragically lost his life in the accident, while Myung Jo Kang sustained critical injuries.
Myung Jo Kang was swiftly transported to Des Moines for medical treatment following the accident. Currently, he is dealing with head and facial trauma, and he is scheduled for surgery later this week. His recovery is anticipated to take several months.
Young Seok Moon’s family, located in South Korea, is yet to arrive in the United States to bid him a final farewell before his cremation.
In a remarkable show of solidarity, the Korean community and residents of Ames and Des Moines have come together to provide essential support to both families. The Korean American Society of Iowa (KASI) has launched a fundraising campaign to help ease the financial burden on the grieving families.
Half of the contributions received will be allocated towards the cremation service and funeral arrangements for Young Seok Moon. These funds will also cover the transportation of his ashes and the travel expenses for his family as they journey from South Korea. The remaining half will be directed towards covering Myung Jo Kang’s medical treatment and recovery costs.
For those seeking more details or wishing to contribute to the fundraising efforts, please visit the official GoFundMe page dedicated to supporting both families during this challenging period: (https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-and-medical-expense-for-young-and-myung)
By Junhan Park [park.junhan@koreadaily.com]
