LOCAL NEWS
Family members remember Utah woman killed in Idaho crash
GEM COUNTY, Idaho — Family members on Tuesday were remembering a Utah woman killed in a weekend crash that also left her father critically injured.
On Saturday, Idaho State Police said 39-year-old Ainslee Larsen of Kearns was riding with her father on a motorcycle on State Highway 16, south of Emmett, when a driver in an SUV crossed over the center line and struck them.
Larsen was killed and her father was transported to the hospital with critical injuries.
According to family members, he remained in the ICU Tuesday, fighting for his life, and it would likely be several months before he would be able to even attempt to walk again.
“He’s shattered and very, very broken,” daughter Mallory Christensen told KSL TV in an interview Tuesday evening.
Christensen said hearts were “shattered” over the crash that killed her sister.
Police said evidence at the scene pointed to possible intoxication on the part of the SUV’s driver.
“Drunk driving is about the worst thing a person can do,” Christensen said. “Our lives will never be the same again.”
Christensen said Larsen leaves behind three children. She said family members would do whatever they could to support them going forward.
“We are going to have to find ways every day to heal from that,” she said.
Christensen remembered her sister as a devoted mother and partner, and as someone who “saw the best in everyone” and went out of her way for her family. She said her sister was the person “everyone wanted to be.”
“We were each other’s ‘irreplaceable,’” Christensen said.
Christensen and other family members organized a GoFundMe page* to help offset funeral costs, as well as medical bills. A second GoFundMe* has been set up to help Larsen’s three children as they now have to grow up without their mother.
Christensen said the family was extremely grateful for the support received so far from friends and the community.
She urged others to appreciate every minute they have with those they love.
“Hold your loved ones close, don’t wait for tragedy — because they’re irreplaceable,” Christensen said.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.