LOCAL NEWS

Utah mother urges other drivers to be cautious after being hit at red light

Dec 19, 2023, 6:07 PM | Updated: 6:30 pm

SOUTH SALT LAKE — A Utah mother is holding her two daughters’ closer tonight after being slammed into by a negligent driver, sending her to the hospital with serious injuries.

“It was really scary to think about what could have happened to them if they were in the car,” said Amy Burak.

While coloring with her children, 2-year-old Tatum and 4-year-old Simone, at their home in South Salt Lake, Burak tried to conceal the pain she was in.

“I’m bruised; it hurts to cough and get up,” she said.

Amy playing with her two children, Tatum and Simone.

Amy playing with her two children, Tatum and Simone. (KSL TV)

On Saturday at approximately 7:00 p.m., Burak was on her way home from work when she was hit from behind while stopped at a red light at 3900 South and 700 West.

“I just looked in the rear-view mirror, and I saw these headlights coming, and they weren’t slowing down, and I thought, ‘Oh no, they’re going to hit me,’” said Burak. “And then he hit me at full speed.”

The impact from the 2013 Honda Accord caused a chain reaction crash involving Burak’s car and two more vehicles.

“It hit me into the truck that was in front of me, and that truck hit the car in front of him,” she said.

The accident that sent Amy to the hospital.

The accident that sent Amy to the hospital.

While Burak was taken to a hospital to be treated for back and hip injuries, the driver who caused the crash was cited by South Salt Lake police for negligence, following too close, and driving without a license or insurance.

“It’s really frustrating because he didn’t have insurance, it’s going to cost me a lot of money,” Burak said.

Burak’s car was totaled, and she’s now had to take several days off work as a bartender to heal. As a single mother, she says money is already tight.

“I get by, but I don’t have a lot of wiggle room, so having to take time off is hard,” she said.

Burak is trying to stay positive, especially around her two young daughters, who she fears would have been severely injured had they been with her that night.

“The kids normally would have been in the back seat, but I had some change of plans that night, and they weren’t there,” she said.

Burak says being in such a serious crash just days before Christmas has been challenging, but trying to figure out how to pay for the damage caused by the uninsured driver is overwhelming. She’s asking Utah drivers to slow down and pay attention to what’s happening on the road so what happened to her doesn’t happen to anybody else.

“It’s just so much, all at once, and it’s never a good time, but it’s not a good time right now,” Burak said.

A GoFundMe* has been created to help the family replace their car and pay for medical expenses. Burak says she’s grateful for neighbors who have already replaced some of her daughter’s Christmas gifts that were in her trunk and destroyed in the crash.


*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.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

FILE — Police lights shown in West Valley City on Sept. 24, 2024. (Nathanial Gillis, KSL TV)...

Carlysle Price

One person killed in two vehicle collision near Tooele

One person was killed after two vehicles collided near State Route 179 Thursday.

16 minutes ago

Protesters in front of the Utah Capitol on Feb. 5, 2025 to protest President Donald Trump and Elon ...

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com

‘We are the real patriots’: Utahns protest Donald Trump, Elon Musk outside Capitol

Hundreds of Utahns joined nationwide protests in opposition to President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, one of Trump's top benefactors who has sought to gut federal agencies as a "special government employee."

19 minutes ago

...

Mary Culbertson and Michael Houck, KSL TV

Man dies after barricading himself during ‘domestic situation’ in Layton

After a man barricaded himself in a Layton apartment complex, multiple schools were locked under "secure" protocol.

2 hours ago

Traffic halted on northbound I-15 in Draper after a fatal crash on Feb. 6, 2025....

Jacob Freeman

One dead after I-15 rollover near Point of the Mountain

One person is dead following a rollover accident on Interstate 15 near Point of the Mountain.

3 hours ago

The Utah State Capitol stands in Salt Lake City on the first day of the legislative session on Tues...

Daniel Woodruff

No compromise: Utah Senate gives final approval to original version of labor union bill

The Utah Senate voted 16-13 to pass a controversial bill that bans collective bargaining for public sector unions.

3 hours ago

Jeff Kauffmann and other union members wait to hear discussion and voting on HB267...

Caitlyn Keith, Deseret News

Public labor union bill back to a complete ban on collective bargaining

After multiple changes were made to one of the most controversial bills of the 2025 legislative session, the latest House version of a public labor unions bill would once again completely prohibit public sector collective bargaining.

4 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Utah mother urges other drivers to be cautious after being hit at red light