Recent HS Grad Suffers 3rd Degree Burns On 85% Of Body, PA Community Rallies

An 18-year-old graduate of Emmaus High School has died as a result of burns from a bonfire, authorities said.

08/16/2024 3:53 p.m.

Julian Díaz died on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 4 a.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, after suffering bruns on 84 percent of his body, according to the Lehigh County Coroner.

"He was a funny loving caring son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend," his uncle, Jonathan Gring of Emmaus said on a GoFundMe page. "He always made everyone laugh and if you knew you were going to be around Julian, you knew you were in for some kinda entertainment."

The deadly incident occurred on Wednesday, Aug. 14, at approximately 12:30 a.m. in the 5000 Block of South Mountain Drive, Upper Milford Township, the coroner said.

Gring had raised nearly $40,000 toward medical bills as of Monday morning, Aug. 19.

Click here to view or donate to the GoFundMe.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Lower Paxton and receive free news updates.