Fund set up for Church’s Chicken employee burned by grease

• Gary Cifuentes was burned over more than half of his body and requires multiple surgeries.

A fund has been established to help pay for medical bills accrued by Gary Cifuentes, the 22-year-old Church’s Chicken employee who was burned by grease after a car smashed into the restaurant. The freak accident happened last Friday while Cifuentes, a Guatemala native, was working at the restaurant located on North Claiborne Road in Olathe.

The 75-year-old driver told police that her accelerator became stuck, causing her Jeep Grand Cherokee to smash into the side of the building. The impact sent hot grease flying out of the frying, burning Cifuentes on more than half his body. The Star reports that he is in critical condition at KU Hospital, and his recovery will require many surgeries.

Donations for the fund can be dropped off at any UMB Bank location, or mailed to the branch at 11101 W. 87th St., Overland Park, KS 66214.