Fire Captain's 'Beloved' 3 Kids and Ex-Wife Killed in Crash: They 'Brought So Much Light to So Many'

Mar. 15, 2025

Captain Steve Biakanja and his three children.Photo: GoFundMe

A California fire station is coming together to support one of their own who recently suffered a devastating loss.

“It is with deep sadness that we inform you about a recent loss to our school community,” Principal Dan Morgan wrote on Monday. “Last night, August 14, 2022, Lucy, Leigh and Ben Biakanja, along with their mother, passed away in a car accident.”

Captain Steve Biakanja’s children, twin daughters Leigh and Lucy and son Ben.GoFundMe

The California Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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Now, Biakamja’s fire station is raising money to help “ease the burden of this tragedy and to honor the memory of his beloved children.”

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Captain Steve Biakanja and his three children.GoFundMe

As for their younger brother, Ben “leaves behind his collection of World War II memorabilia, an avid interest of his.”

“At San Jose Fire, each member of the team is considered family, and in times of need, a family must stand together,” the station wrote.

“Captain Biakanja has stood guard for his community for years, living out the department’s creed of, “For the Kids,” in service to his people. In his time of need, we ask for your assistance for his kids,” they added. “With your help, we can do our best to ease the burden of this tragedy and to honor the memory of his beloved children.”

As of Friday, the page has raised over $170,000.

source: people.com