Rebeca Hafen Accident: Utah Community Mourns Beloved Mother of Nine After East Dairy Lane Crash

A Utah family is facing an unimaginable loss following the death of Rebeca Hafen, a 34-year-old mother of nine who was struck by a vehicle while out for a walk near Moroni.

The fatal auto-pedestrian crash happened shortly before 8 a.m. Tuesday at 1808 East Dairy Lane, just north of Moroni, according to the Utah Highway Patrol. Authorities said sun-related visibility was identified as a contributing factor in the crash. Hafen was transported to a hospital with serious injuries but later died. (KSL)

Rebeca Hafen was pregnant at the time of the crash

The tragedy became even more devastating because Hafen was in the late stages of pregnancy when she was struck.

According to a fundraiser established for the family and cited by local reporting, doctors performed an emergency delivery after Hafen was taken to the hospital. The newborn initially survived and was placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for specialized care. (KSL)

Early reports said the newborn was doing well under medical care. However, a later update from the family’s fundraiser reported that the baby subsequently died. The family said the father, Tyson Hafen, and the children were able to spend time with the newborn before the baby’s death. (KSL)

A mother of nine remembered

Rebeca’s death leaves behind her husband, Tyson, and their children at a moment when the family was preparing to welcome another baby.

The circumstances have drawn an outpouring of sympathy from people who know the Hafen family. A fundraising campaign has been established to help Tyson and the children manage medical expenses, the needs arising from the newborn’s hospitalization and the practical costs of caring for the family following Rebeca’s death. (KSL)

For the family, the tragedy is more than the loss of a loved one in a traffic collision. It is the sudden absence of a mother from the lives of her children and a wife from her husband, compounded by the loss of a newborn child.

East Dairy Lane crash investigation

The Utah Highway Patrol identified Hafen as the pedestrian involved in the crash and said visibility caused by the sun was a contributing factor. The collision occurred on East Dairy Lane north of Moroni, in Sanpete County. (KSL)

As with any fatal traffic incident, the circumstances surrounding the collision remain a matter for authorities. Publicly available reports should not be supplemented with speculation about fault or other details that have not been officially established.

Remembering Rebeca Hafen

Rebeca’s story is now being remembered through the family she leaves behind — her husband and nine children — and through the people who have rallied around them following the sudden tragedy.

The family has asked for prayers and support as Tyson cares for the children while also dealing with the loss of his wife and the death of their newborn.

At just 34 years old, Rebeca’s life was cut short in a moment that has left a family and community grieving. Her death serves as a painful reminder of how quickly an ordinary morning can change, leaving those closest to a person to carry on while confronting an absence they never expected.

Editor’s note: Initial reports stated that Rebeca’s newborn was receiving treatment in the NICU. A subsequent family fundraiser update reported that the baby died. This article reflects that later update rather than the earlier information. (KSL)