Fundraiser started for Florida family that lost 2 young sons in Manatee County crash

An online fundraiser has taken up almost $70,000 for a Polk County couple who were seriously injured in a crash in East Manatee County last weekend.

The wreck took the lives of two boys, 11-year-old Cole and 15-year-old Cameron, who were riding in the SUV when it hydroplaned off of State Road 62 in the Duette area and hit a power pole.

Their mother, Krista Reynolds Wilder, 34, remained in the ICU on Wednesday but her condition was improving, according to an update on the GoFundMe page, while their stepfather, Kyle Wilder, 43, was in stable condition.

The family was on a weekend trip to the beach when the wreck happened on Saturday night, according to the fundraiser page organized by Kris Dehnert, a friend of Kyle Wilder.

“The man who beat addiction more than 10 years ago, turned into a faithful man, a loving husband, a patriot, an incredible stepfather, a business owner, and most of all a support system for SO MANY in need, is NOW the one needing the help,” Dehnert wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Please help me support him as he tries to pull his family back together after this tragic event.”

“There is an incredibly long road to recovery ahead of them both,” Dehnert added. “Aside from the mental/emotional setbacks they will encounter, there will be physical setbacks as well due to the injuries. All of which will need time and money to combat.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, the fundraiser had received over 500 donations totaling $69,000. It has a goal of $100K.

Krista and Kyle were married last July in Winter Haven, according to Polk County court records.