Two Women, 13-Year-Old Girl Killed in Rollover Near Meadow
Nov 24, 2019, 9:40 AM | Updated: 10:06 am
Celeste Drennan
MEADOW, Utah – Two women and a teenage girl died after a crash on I-15 early Saturday morning, Utah Highway Patrol troopers said.
The sister of one of the victims spoke to KSL from her home in El Paso, Texas. She said Celeste Drennan, 46, moved to Bountiful a few years ago.
“She loved to do for others,” Rebecca Drennan said, “She is very strong in her faith and she loved going to the singles ward and activities.”
The two sisters had plans to meet for Christmas in El Paso following the passing of their father earlier this year. Their mother died a few years ago.
“She makes quilts and I think all of us have a quilt made by her. The last one that she made she was going to bring down to El Paso next month for me for Christmas,” Rebecca Drennan shared.
Those plans changed early Saturday morning at around 6 a.m. when Celeste Drennan was involved in a fatal rollover crash on I-15, about nine miles north of the I-70 Interchange, near Meadow, Utah.
“As soon as the trooper started talking I kind of knew it was bad news. They said that there was an accident and my sister passed away. I then found out there were two other people in the car. I guess they were on a road trip from Las Vegas,” Rebecca Drennan said.
According to UHP, Celeste Drennan was traveling northbound, on I-15 near mile post 143, with Candice Marie Young, 48, and Young’s daughter, Angelina Smith, 13. Young and her daughter are from Las Vegas.
“I don’t know if the driver dozed off or what happened, but it ended up in a roll over where the vehicle was upside down,” said Rebecca Drennan.
According to Rebecca Drennan, the trio was traveling in Celeste Drennan’s Ford Ranger and Young was driving. Celeste Drennan was seated on the passenger side of the truck.
“The road curves gradually to the right, however, the driver continued in a straight line off the left side of the road. The driver over steered back to the right, crossing all travel lanes. Just prior to leaving the road to the right, the driver steered sharply back to the left and the vehicle began to roll,” according to UHP.
“To get this news, it’s absolutely devastating, it’s shocking. I’m still trying to process, I just don’t believe it,” said Rebecca Drennan.
Young and Celeste Drennan had their seat belts on in the front of the vehicle. However, Smith was ejected through the rear window of the vehicle, according to UHP. All three died at the scene.
“I just want to send out my condolences to the other family,” Rebecca Drennan expressed.
Tonight, as she processes her loss, Rebecca Drennan prays others will be safe on the road.
Rebecca Drennan plans on traveling to Utah in coming days to make necessary arrangements. She hopes to bury Celeste Drennan in El Paso near her family and where her parents are also buried.
According to Rebecca Drennan, Celeste Drennan was born in Santa Clarita, California, but the family moved to El Paso several years ago.
“A tragedy can happen so quickly and impact everybody for so long,” Rebecca Drennan said, “Be careful so everybody goes home to their family tonight.”
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help cover funeral costs for Celeste Drennan.
