Young Mother Killed In Head-On Crash In Kane County
Sep 26, 2020, 6:13 PM | Updated: Dec 19, 2022, 11:35 pm
KANAB, Utah —A young mother was killed while another 19-year-old woman is fighting for her life after an SUV crashed into them head-on in Kane County.
The incident happened near mile marker 35 around 7:51 p.m. Wednesday.
Loved ones said Annika “Annie” Jamarillo had a million dreams and goals, but the young mother’s life was cut short.
Annikka “Annie” Jaramillo, 20, was killed in a head-on crash on US-89 in Kane County (Courtesy: Jaramillo family)
“My daughter and her two friends, they went on many adventures, and this was just one of them,” said Marcie Jamarillo, Annikka’s mom. “They were on their way to Lake Powell.”
Troopers said the friends were traveling eastbound in a Volkswagen passenger vehicle when a Toyota Highlander heading westbound crashed into them head-on.
“The children were 10 miles from where they were supposed to meet up,” said Marcie.
Troopers said the SUV was attempting to pass a slow-moving semi truck in a no passing zone.
“It literally takes one second and that’s it! If he wasn’t traveling so close behind that truck, he probably could’ve seen that car,” said Marcie.
Annie, who was in the front passenger seat, died on scene.
Her two friends, including a 20-year-old man in the back passenger seat, survived the crash, but 19-year-old Piper Anderson is fighting for her life in the hospital.
“We are rooting for Piper and we are Piper Strong,” said Marcie. “There’s no reason that we should have to lose two of our children. Piper is our sister!
Piper was in the driver’s seat of the Volkswagen. Marcie said she’s like a second mother to Annie’s son.
“It is very important that Piper pulls through on this, for my grandson,” said Marcie.
Two 36-year-old women in the SUV survived the crash.
Troopers said the incident was being investigated and that they were looking into whether the driver was impaired.
Any charges in the case will be screened through the Kane County District Attorney’s Office.
“We can’t lose both,” said Marcie. “This is an absolute tragedy!
Marcie Jaramillo said she hopes others on the road will be more cautious.
“Just have patience — save your life, save everybody else’s life and you won’t realize how humble you’ll feel later on to know that you had patience,” she said.
Donations are being accepted to cover funeral and medical expenses for Annie and Piper.
