What happened to Troy Garlock? GoFundMe raises over $45,000 after father and child killed in Mesa crash

Troy Garlock, a devoted father of nine, and his 8-year-old daughter, Elsie, tragically lost their lives in a devastating car accident in Mesa, Arizona. The crash occurred on Monday morning, February 3, 2025, when a stolen Ford F-250, driven by a 29-year-old man, collided head-on with Garlock’s Nissan Armada at the intersection of Val Vista Drive and Southern Avenue.

The impact of the crash was fatal for both Troy Garlock and Elsie, while his 6-year-old daughter, Mabel, was rushed to the hospital in stable condition. The driver of the stolen vehicle also died at the scene.

Authorities confirmed that the Ford F-250 had been stolen in Gilbert before the crash and was speeding when it veered into oncoming traffic, causing the deadly collision. A third vehicle, a Nissan Sentra, was also involved, but its driver sustained only minor injuries.

In a post on X, Mesa Police Department shared a traffic alert following the accident:

"Please stay out of the area of Val Vista and Southern. Mesa Fire and Police are working a fatal traffic accident. Use Greenfield or Lindsay for north/south traffic."

In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to support Troy Garlock’s family, quickly raising over $45,000. Friends, family, and community members have come together to offer their condolences and financial assistance, remembering Troy Garlock as a dedicated father, husband, and brother who left a lasting impact on those around him.

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More about Troy Garlock

In a statement to ABC15, Tiffany Garlock, Troy Garlock's sister-in-law said:

“Troy was an amazing dedicated father and step father.. He just went and saw some of [the] kids in Utah and watched their sports. He was always having fun with them. Building ninja warrior courses for them in their backyard. They just bought land up in Heber, bought a horse and some chickens/goats and poured the concrete to start building their dream home. Elsie was so fun and spunky. She was a fantastic little dancer and so much energy.”

The GoFundMe account which has also been set up by Tiffany, details Troy Garlock as:

"a man of unwavering love, strength, and dedication, always putting his family first, having fun with his kids, and leading with kindness and compassion."

The GoFundMe account also states that Mabel, Troy Garlock's youngest daughter has successfully come out of surgery and is now in recovery, though she has suffered multiple fractures. For those who would like to assist Julie and her family with meals, Tiffany Garlock requests people to reach out to her.