On the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 18, around 12:30 a.m., two teens traveling just outside West Linn city limits along Southwest Borland Road suddenly lost control of their car and crashed into an electrical pole, causing many homes in the adjacent area to lose power for over 12 hours. Details regarding what exactly led to the crash are currently undecided, and according to Joella Sorensen of the West Linn Police Department, Records Division, “Open investigations [are] not closed yet.”
The affected passengers, Jaci Platt and Cameron Tosado, are both 17 year old seniors at West Linn High School. The two have been dating for over a year, and were attempting to drive back to Platt’s house at the time of the incident. Authorities responded just 10 minutes after calls came in to 911 around 12:40 a.m., and Platt and Tosado were swiftly extricated from the crash-site — alive — but in critical condition. They were rushed to Oregon Health & Sciences University and placed in a trauma intensive care unit, where they’re still being held. Both teens are, as of this writing, in comas and on life support to assist with their life-threatening injuries.
In her latest update to Platt and Tosado’s GoFundMe, Tosado’s older sister, Angelic Tosado, stated that “Cameron gave mom the most wonderful birthday gift [on] Tuesday and opened his eyes,” an indication that he is slowly regaining consciousness. Additionally, Cameron squeezed his mothers hand as she was holding his, “acknowledging he knew it was mom” according to Angelic, and is breathing 20 percent on his own now. That Tuesday was also Jaci and Cameron’s one-year anniversary, which the two were understandably unable to celebrate with each other. Jaci herself has regained the ability to breathe unassisted entirely, and on Sept. 26 all of her intubation tubes were removed. Angelic described these improvements in Jaci’s condition as “major strides in her individual marathon.”
A vigil in honor of Platt and Tosado was held in front of West Linn High School on Sunday, Sept. 22. Students, parents and faculty members alike all held hands and took part in prayer, hoping for many more miracles to come during the couple’s recovery. “You can still see some of the wax from the candles they held out for them on the steps of the school,” said LOHS Registrar Karalee Kyllo. “It’s a really sad sight.” Kyllo, who is also the Head Varsity Dance Team Coach for the West Linn Debs Dance Program, is close with many students and families in West Linn who have been personally affected by this tragic accident.
While this tragedy might not have happened in Lake Oswego, it still affects many in LO who have connections to West Linn, its residents, and Platt and Tosados’ families. WLHS and LOHS may have a longstanding rivalry in football and many other sports — a competitive spirit that sometimes supersedes basic human respect — but both communities can come together and hope that the two teens recover all the same.
Over $50,000 of the GoFundMe’s $100,000 goal has already been raised. Donations can be made via the link here and will go towards Platt and Tosado’s medical bills, as well as their aftercare resources. The two have a long journey of rehabilitation ahead.
