(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) The two vehicles involved in the fatal crash on Continental Boulevard in Merrimack Friday evening sit on opposite sides of the road, which was closed for several hours as police conducted their investigation.

MERRIMACK — As three members of the Venedam family of Merrimack continue to recover from serious injuries while trying to come to grips with the loss of their son and brother in the horrific two-car crash Friday night, the director of a local child care center has launched an online fundraiser on the family’s behalf.

Killed in the crash was Xander Venedam, 18, who was a passenger in the back seat of the 2018 Jeep Compass that his mother, Desiree Venedam, 43, was driving when, police said, a 2010 Crysler minivan traveling in the opposite direction crossed over into the oncoming lane and collided head-on with the Jeep.

Also passengers in the Jeep were Sean Venedam and Xavier’s younger brother, Malaki Venedam, who, along with Desiree Venedam, were transported to local hospitals with multiple injuries.

The driver of the minivan, Conner Hogan, 24, of Hollis, was also injured and was hospitalized. Police said the circumstances of the crash, including what caused the minivan to veer into the oncoming lane, are part of the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, Laura Catanzano, the director of Apple Blossoms Child Center, where Desiree Venedam “has cared for and loved children in this community for many years,” launched the fundraiser on the site www.gofundme.com.

As of noon Sunday, roughly $36,250 had been donated through the site, which reached, and surpassed, the third targeted goal of $35,000, Catanzano wrote.

“The outpouring of support keeps coming,” she wrote, adding that she has raised the goal to $50,000.

The fund, according to Catanzano, is aimed at assisting the Venedam family as they deal with “medical bills, services, and an incredibly long and painful road ahead of them,” she wrote.

Not only are Desiree, Sean and Malaki Venedam facing recovery from their various injuries, they “will now have to deal with this imaginable heartbreak” as well, Catanzano wrote.

To donate and to read tributes posted on the site go to www.gofundme.com, click “search” and enter “Venedam.”

Xander Venedam was a student at Merrimack High School, where members of the school’s crisis team met with police over the weekend to discuss the incident and the release of information, according to Bill Olsen, the school district’s chief education officer.

In announcing Venedam’s death in a message he posted on the SAU 26 website, Olsen said the “entire school district is deeply saddened over this news” and that “thoughtful plans are in place for providing care and comfort to Xander’s friends, along with all students and staff, beginning Monday morning.”

Describing Merrimack as “a very kind and caring town,” Olsen asked residents to “say a prayer for Xander, his family, and friends.

“Xander’s spirit will remain in our thoughts and hearts, and will bring us together as a school district and a community,” Olsen added.

It was around 7 p.m. Friday that Merrimack police, firefighters and ambulance personnel were dispatched to Continental Boulevard near the intersection of Bailey Court for a report of a two-car crash with heavy damage and serious injuries to several people.

Mutual aid fire and medical personnel from Nashua and Amherst were also called to the scene to assist Merrimack crews.

The boulevard between Naticook and Tinker roads was closed to traffic for several hours, as crash reconstruction personnel conducted an on-scene investigation.

Once the on-scene investigation concluded, tow truck crews loaded the wrecked vehicles onto their trucks and cleared the debris that was scattered about the scene, allowing police to reopen Continental Boulevard.

As the investigation progresses, police ask anyone who may have additional information related to the crash to contact Lt. Chris Spillane or Officer Amanda Grovers at police headquarters at 424-3774.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.