Family Seeks Support After Winkler County Crash Tragedy

Siblings of injured teens launch GoFundMe to cover medical and travel costs as family faces dual health crises.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A Winkler County family is asking for community support after a devastating rollover crash involving local teens left one child dead and others hospitalized, while another member of their family battles a separate medical emergency. Sarah Whitmire, the sibling of one of the injured teens, has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help her parents cover mounting expenses related to the crash and her sister's brain tumor diagnosis.

Why it matters

The tragic accident has deeply impacted the small Winkler County community, with the Whitmire family facing immense emotional and financial strain as they care for their injured and ill children. The fundraiser aims to rally the community to support the family during this difficult time.

The details

According to Whitmire, her younger brother Cody was involved in the February 8th wreck, which took the life of one of his friends and sent multiple children to the hospital. Cody is expected to remain hospitalized for at least 10 days, while Whitmire's younger sister Karleigh was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor after an injury during a volleyball game in mid-January. The family has been traveling frequently between Wink and North Texas for Karleigh's treatment, as well as to Lubbock for Cody's care.

  • The crash occurred on February 8, 2026.
  • Karleigh was diagnosed with a brain tumor in mid-January 2026.

The players

Sarah Whitmire

The sibling of one of the injured teens who has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help her family.

Cody Whitmire

Sarah's younger brother who was involved in the Winkler County crash and is expected to remain hospitalized for at least 10 days.

Karleigh Whitmire

Sarah's younger sister who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor after an injury during a volleyball game.

James Whitmire

The father of Cody and Karleigh, who worked in law enforcement in West Texas before retiring due to health concerns.

Wink-Loving ISD

The school district where Sarah and Karleigh's mother has worked for approximately 25 years.

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What they’re saying

“The ripple effects of this tragedy are being felt by so many people back home.”

— Sarah Whitmire (GoFundMe)

“The fact is, they're children. They think they're invincible, and that stuff like that won't happen until it does.”

— Sarah Whitmire (yourbasin.com)

“Respectfully, if this matters at all to anyone who reads this, start there and remember that you can only guide your children to follow rules. They aren't always going to listen. They're figuring life out, too.”

— Sarah Whitmire (yourbasin.com)

What’s next

The GoFundMe fundraiser, titled 'Rallying Around Cody and Karleigh', is seeking $15,000 to help cover the family's lost wages, travel, lodging, and medical-related expenses.

The takeaway

This tragic accident highlights the importance of road safety education and seatbelt use, especially for young drivers. The Whitmire family's dual health crises underscore the need for community support during difficult times, and the GoFundMe campaign aims to rally the Winkler County community to assist the family as they navigate these challenges.