Festival, community, raise thousands for 15-year-old who lost mother and brother in New Bedford highway crash

A positive has resulted from the tragic fatal highway crash in New Bedford earlier this month.

At just after 9:30 a.m. on September 6th, Troopers from the Dartmouth Barracks responded to a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 195 East in the City of New Bedford near exit 24A.

A vehicle carrying 5 individuals rolled over. 2 of the occupants were pronounced dead at the scene as a result of their injuries and 3 others were transported to a local hospital.

35-year-old Gladys Ivelisse Colon Kuilan of New Bedford and her 13-year-old son, Willniel Osorio-Colon, also of New Bedford were the deceased and passengers in the vehicle.

Shannen Viveiros, assistant director of the South Coast Harvest Festival, which was held this past weekend, learned that one of the survivors, 15-year-old Wilianys Osorio Colon aka “Nani” could use some help after losing her mother and brother in the crash.

Viveiros organized a fundraiser at the festival for Nani, with the help of the New Bedford Police Department, to get her some essentials and establish a fund for her for future needs. Gift cards, cards, letters and well wishes were also collected.

The festival announced the results of that fundraiser on Sunday evening.

“This right here is why we do what we do. Our amazing community came together in a time of need and raised an astounding $5900 in donations for Nani!!! That’s $2110 in gift cards, $1640 direct cash donations, and $2150 from our raffle! Wow. We are so overcome with emotion. Look at the smile on her face! Thank you, thank you, thank you! We always hear about the bad, but there is SO much good to celebrate. All raffle winners have been selected and will be contacted tomorrow. “

The festival, in its second year, was held at the Westport Fairgrounds from Friday to Sunday.