Relative of Rt. 24 bus crash victims asking for help

For Rich Quintal, Saturday night's school bus crash on Route 24 south in Berkley hits especially hard.

ATTLEBORO — For Rich Quintal, Saturday night's school bus crash on Route 24 south in Berkley hits especially hard.

"I have at least 10 family members, whose blood I share, that were on that bus," Quintal said.

Quintal made a plea for public help on Wednesday at the La Salette Shrine in Attleboro. His relatives visited the shrine on a company trip that left from Tiverton, Rhode Island.

On the return trip to Tiverton, the school bus went off the road, over the right shoulder and into the woods.

Prosecutors said 27-year-old Christy Gilpatrick, who police said was driving drunk, caused the accident.

Many of the 23 adults and children who were on the bus are still recovering, and some are still in the hospital with serious injuries.

"I've reassured my cousin many times that her children were OK, as her brain was injured, and her short-term memory was not functioning properly for some time," Quintal said.

Quintal has set up a GoFundMe page to support the survivors. The goal is to raise a half million dollars for the injured victims. As of Thursday morning the effort had raised just more than $9,000.

"Some will not be able to work for some time," Quintal said. "Some may not be able to work in their past occupation. All have psychological trauma."

Quintal said that visiting the holiday display at La Salette is an annual event for his family. This year, they had hoped to bring cheer to a holiday season that has been filled with grief and sorrow, so far.

"The day before this event, we buried my uncle," Quintal said. "His children, grandchildren, as well as other family and friends, were on the bus."

Quintal says the family is also praying for Gilpatrick, who is free on $2,500 bail.