MORONI, Utah — A Utah family is mourning the devastating loss of a mother and her newborn son after a roadside crash claimed the life of a pregnant woman and, days later, her baby.
The incident happened Tuesday morning shortly before 8 a.m. near 1808 E. Dairy Lane, just north of Moroni, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.
Authorities identified the woman as 34-year-old Rebeca Hafen, who was walking along the shoulder of the road when she was struck by a vehicle.
The circumstances surrounding the crash have left Hafen’s husband, Tyson, and their children facing an unimaginable loss. According to authorities, sunlight and limited visibility were identified as primary contributing factors in the collision.
Hafen was rushed to a hospital after being struck. Despite efforts to save her, she later died from the injuries she sustained in the crash.
Emergency Delivery Brings Newborn Into NICU
The tragedy took another heartbreaking turn at the hospital.
Doctors performed an emergency delivery following the crash, and Hafen’s newborn son was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit, commonly known as the NICU.
The baby remained under medical care as doctors and nurses worked to give him a chance to survive.
For the family, those days brought a painful mixture of hope and grief. Hafen had not survived the crash, but her newborn son was still fighting for his life.
An update posted to a GoFundMe created to support Tyson and the family later confirmed the heartbreaking news that the baby had also died.
“Today, our family received more heartbreaking news. Tyson’s sweet baby passed away,” the fundraiser stated.
The update said the medical team had done everything possible to care for the newborn and expressed gratitude to the doctors and nurses who had worked to help him.
Family Says Goodbye to Newborn Son
Before the baby died, Tyson and his children were able to spend time with him, holding him and saying their goodbyes. The fundraiser described the family’s loss as almost impossible to put into words.
“In such a short amount of time, Tyson and the kids have lost both Rebecca and their new baby. It’s difficult to even put into words the amount of grief this family is carrying,” the statement continued.
The fundraiser has been established to help Tyson and the children as they navigate the emotional and practical challenges following the deaths.
Supporters have responded by donating, sharing the fundraiser and reaching out to the family. The update also thanked everyone who had offered support during what the family described as an incredibly difficult period.
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Driver Identity and Charges Remain Unclear
Authorities have not released the identity of the driver involved in the crash.
According to reports citing police, criminal charges are not currently expected unless investigators determine that speed was a factor in the collision.
The investigation remains focused on understanding exactly what happened when the vehicle struck Hafen as she walked along the roadside.
Officials have pointed to sunlight and limited visibility as contributing circumstances, but investigators have not indicated that the case is closed.
Utah Family Faces Devastating Loss
For Hafen’s family, the crash has resulted in a loss far greater than anyone could have imagined.
A husband and nine children are now grieving the death of their mother, while also mourning a newborn who survived only briefly after his emergency delivery. The fundraiser’s final message offered a deeply emotional reflection on the family’s loss:
“Rebecca and their sweet baby are together again.”
As Tyson and the children move forward, community members continue to offer financial assistance, condolences and support to the family.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking tragedy? Share your condolences and thoughts in the comments below.
