GoFundMe established for Moroni family after mother, newborn die

MORONI—A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to help a Moroni family grieving the deaths of a mother and her newborn baby following a crash north of town.

Rebeca Hafen, 34, a mother of nine, died Tuesday from injuries she suffered when she was struck by a vehicle while walking along the shoulder near the 1800 block of East Dairy Lane on Sept. 10.

Hafen was pregnant at the time of the crash. According to the fundraiser, doctors performed an emergency delivery following the collision, and the newborn was transported to a hospital and placed in the neonatal intensive care unit.

The baby later died, according to an update posted Wednesday to the GoFundMe account.

“The medical team did everything they could to care for him and give him a fighting chance,” the update said.

The fundraiser said Hafen’s husband, Tyson Hafen, and the couple’s children were able to spend time with the baby, hold him, love him and say goodbye before his death.

“As painful as this is, we find some comfort knowing that he is now with his mama, Rebeca,” the update said.

The family is now facing the loss of both Rebeca and the newborn while caring for their remaining children.

“Tyson and the kids have lost both Rebeca and their new baby,” the fundraiser said. “It’s difficult to even put into words the amount of grief this family is carrying.”

Donations to the GoFundMe will help the family with medical expenses, recovery-related needs and care for the children as they cope with the losses.

According to Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Zach Randall, Hafen was walking on the shoulder at about 7:55 a.m. when she was struck. No charges are expected against the driver unless investigators determine speed was a factor. Any charges would be determined by the Sanpete County Attorney’s Office.

The crash remains under investigation.