San Jose fire captain loses his three children in an accident
A San Jose fire captain is dealing with an unthinkable tragedy after his three children were killed in a car crash Sunday night. The children’s mother and the firefighter’s ex-wife also died in the accident.
HOLLISTER, Calif. – A San Jose Fire Captain is struggling with a unthinkable tragedy after her three children were killed in a car accident on Sunday evening.
Captain Steve Biakanja of San Jose Fire Station 16 lost his 14-year-old twin daughters, Leigh and Lucy, and 12-year-old son, Ben, in an accident on Route 156 in Hollister.
The children’s mother, Lisa Biakanja, also died in the accident. She was the fire captain’s ex-wife.
Captain Steve Biakanja pictured alongside his children, Leigh, Lucy and Ben.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the four were traveling in a 2014 Tesla on eastbound Route 156 when, for unknown reasons, their vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic and hit a tractor-trailer.
Investigators are trying to determine why the Tesla drove through oncoming traffic.
Biakanja’s current wife, Thaun, told KTVU that the Tesla is not equipped with the autopilot feature.
The Carmel Unified School District said Leigh, Lucy and Ben were all enrolled in Carmel Middle School and had attended Tularcitos Elementary School before that.
Superintendent Ted Knight said KION TV“Going back, the second week of school at this news this morning was certainly very tragic and hard for a lot of staff and students to hear.”
Knight said the deaths of Leigh, Lucy and Ben took their toll on some of their classmates.
“Some students have had to go home. Some students are in our wellness center talking to mental health professionals. Others might just need some quiet,” Knight said.
Captain Steve Biakanja pictured alongside his children, Leigh, Lucy and Ben.
But the one who suffered the greatest loss is Captain Biakanja.
Station 16 has set up a GoFundMe to help ease Biakanja’s financial burden. The fire station said the funds will cover funeral costs for the children, as well as counseling, meals and other support for Biakanja and his wife Thaun.
“At San Jose Fire, every team member is considered family, and in times of need, a family should stick together. “in the service of his people. At this difficult time, we ask for your help for his children. With your help, we can do our best to ease the burden of this tragedy and honor the memory of his beloved children,” said said the department wrote.
Captain Steve Biakanja pictured alongside his family.
