Four members of a Utah family, along with their dog, were killed in a car crash on State Highway 33 in Teton County, Idaho, on Friday night, September 1.
Jennifer Blaine, 46, from Mantua, Utah, was driving a 2022 Tesla when it crossed the center line and collided with a 2007 Kenworth commercial vehicle, towing two trailers of produce.
Jennifer Blaine, her daughters Emily Leavitt, 22, and Denali Blaine, 11, and Emily’s husband Zach Leavitt, 24, from Kaysville, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their dog, Peaches, also did not survive.
Jennifer, a mother of five, from Mantua, Utah, was driving at the time, as mentioned on a GoFundMe page that has raised over $32,000 as of Thursday. The page thanked the community for their support and highlighted the family’s positive impact on those who knew them.
Jennifer’s husband, Nate Blaine, said the family was en route to join him and their son, Bronco, for a backpacking trip. Aware of the late hour, Nate had suggested booking a hotel for the night. However, Jennifer had declined, intending to sleep in a hammock.
The Idaho State Police are overseeing the ongoing investigation. Jennifer was the director at the Promontory School of Expeditionary Learning, where her daughter, Denali, studied. Emily and Zach, students at Brigham Young University in Provo, had married the previous year.
Friends and coworkers organized a vigil on Saturday night to pay respects to the family. Annette Ash, a family friend, commented on the family’s active involvement and their significant contributions to the community.
The funeral for the Blaine and Leavitt family members is scheduled for Sept. 16.