A Utah woman and her unborn baby have died three days after being involved in a brutal highway collision. Married couple Shantell and Macoy Young of Duchesne County were headed down Highway 40 in Wasatch County when a man driving a stolen Ford Explorer veered across the lanes and smashed into the family vehicle.
“On October 20th 2018, at about 12:40 AM, a black Ford Explorer was westbound on SR-40 near milepost 32. A silver Audi was eastbound in the same area. The Explorer left the road to the right, over-corrected to the left and went into oncoming lanes. It impacted nearly head on with the Audi,” Utah Department of Public Safety announced in a statement October 23.
“The male driver and female passenger from the Audi sustained critical injuries. The male was flown from the scene to Utah Valley Medical Center. The female, who is pregnant, was taken by ground ambulance to Heber Valley Medical Center and then flown to Utah Valley MC.”
Witnesses reported that the suspect fled the scene following the accident, before being detained by police and transported to hospital for treatment.
“After his release from the hospital, the driver of the Explorer was booked into jail on possession of a stolen vehicle, and several other charges, as well as a felony warrant,” the statement added.
The 22-year-old victim suffered serious injuries including brain swelling, with doctors waiting for the inflammation to decrease at the time of her tragic death. Macoy broke multiple bones in the crash and had to undergo surgery to repair his aortic artery. Fox 13 has named the suspect as Tyson Uresti, who had recently stolen the vehicle out of Duchesne County.
The Department of Safety noted that investigators “will be meeting with the County Attorney to screen additional charges on the suspect associated with the deaths of Mrs. Young and her unborn child.”
In a September 11 Facebook post, Macoy announced that the couple was expecting a baby after “two years of wonderful marriage.” The couple appeared delighted at the exciting news, which makes this accident all the more heartbreaking.
So we decided what a better way to celebrate two years of a wonderful marriage, than with the announcement that we are having a baby!!
Posted by Macoy Young on Monday, September 10, 2018
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family with funeral costs and medical expenses. “For those that haven’t heard the devastating news, Shantell and baby have passed,” read a recent update. “Macoy still has a long road of recovery and funeral costs are high, as well as hospital bills. We would love all the support we can get to help them through this difficult time.”
Posted by Macoy Young on Friday, October 12, 2018
So far, just over $17,000 has been raised. Many people posted comments to the page, offering their prayers and condolences.
“I too am pregnant with a baby boy and this news is so heartbreaking,” one person wrote. “Sending all the prayers to the family.”
“We don’t know your family, but we were so saddened by this! Our hearts are with you during this completely heartbreaking time. We are praying for you!” another added.
“Lots of love and prayers for your entire family!”
Pray for Macoy as he recovers, and ask God to comfort the wider family at this devastating time.