Rebecca Hafen Accident Death: Moroni Mother of Nine and Newborn Baby Die After Sanpete County Crash
The Moroni community is mourning an unimaginable double loss following the death of Rebecca Hafen and her newborn baby after a devastating auto-pedestrian crash in Sanpete County, Utah. Rebecca, a mother of nine, was struck by a vehicle while walking Tuesday morning and later died from her injuries. Her newborn, delivered in an emergency following the collision, also passed away after receiving intensive medical care.
The crash happened at approximately 7:55 a.m. near 1808 E. Dairy Lane in Moroni. According to the Utah Highway Patrol, Rebecca was walking along the shoulder when she was struck by a vehicle.
Rebecca was pregnant at the time of the crash and was transported to a hospital with critical injuries. Because she was late in her pregnancy, doctors performed an emergency delivery in an effort to save the baby. The newborn was subsequently taken to the neonatal intensive care unit for treatment.
Rebecca later died from the injuries she suffered in the collision, leaving her husband, Tyson Hafen, and their children facing an unimaginable loss.
Newborn Baby Also Dies
The family received another devastating blow when the newborn died after spending time in the NICU.
An update shared through a fundraiser supporting Tyson Hafen and the family said medical professionals did everything possible to care for the baby and give the child a chance to survive. Tyson and the children were able to spend precious time with the newborn, holding the baby, expressing their love and saying goodbye.
For the family, the loss has been almost impossible to comprehend. In the aftermath of the tragedy, they have found some comfort in the thought that Rebecca and her baby are now together.
Rebecca’s death has left behind a husband and children who must now navigate life without a mother and wife, while simultaneously grieving the loss of a newborn who had only just entered the world.
A Family and Community in Mourning
Rebecca was remembered as a devoted mother whose life centered around her family. Her sudden death has brought an extraordinary outpouring of sympathy and support for Tyson and the children.
A fundraiser established for the family was created to help with medical expenses, recovery-related needs and the care of the children as Tyson navigates the devastating days ahead. The campaign initially described the newborn’s hospitalization and the family’s struggle following Rebecca’s death.
The fundraiser has since become a way for friends, neighbors and others moved by the tragedy to offer financial assistance and emotional support to the family.
Investigation Into the Crash
Investigators believe sun glare and limited visibility were major contributing factors in the collision, according to the Utah Highway Patrol. The investigation remains ongoing, and the Sanpete County Attorney’s Office is expected to determine whether charges should be filed after investigators complete their work.
The circumstances of the crash have only deepened the grief surrounding Rebecca and her newborn’s deaths. What began as a devastating traffic collision has become a profound family tragedy, leaving Tyson and his children to mourn two lives lost within an extraordinarily short period.
Rebecca Hafen’s memory will remain intertwined with the family she devoted her life to and the children she leaves behind. Her newborn’s brief life, though tragically short, will also forever remain part of that family’s story. The Moroni community now stands alongside the Hafen family as they face a loss that words can scarcely describe.