EAGLE MOUNTAIN — The morning of Jan. 23 started just like a typical day for the Turner family, beginning with a family prayer given by 10-year-old daughter, McKenna, and joined in via phone by their father, Brian, who was already at work.

McKenna prayed that the family would be protected throughout the day. It was something that would prove vital as the day went on.

Immediately after the prayer, the day for the Eagle Mountain family of seven got underway with many things on the schedule. Mom Krista said there was carpool to drive, her 3-month-old baby to feed, visiting teaching to do, her kindergartener's turn to bring snack — which she had forgotten — and to top it all off, her oldest daughter had a sore throat and would need to see a doctor.

“The morning proceeds as planned,” Krista said. “I manage to get the treat to school, feed the baby and even shower before I had to go visiting teaching.”

The day continued with good news at the doctor's office. McKenna tested negative for strep throat.

With three of her children in tow — McKenna, 5-year-old Andrew and 3-month-old Jonah — they began the drive home to Eagle Mountain on westbound state Route 73.

“We were moving along, and I noticed that there were no other cars around me,” Krista wrote on her blog. “It seemed strange since this is a well-traveled road. I looked to the eastbound lanes and noticed the same thing. I had a strange feeling and was suddenly on high alert. I noticed a white car in the eastbound lanes, and it started to curve into the middle turning lane. I completely expected them to correct their course, but they kept coming — and fast!

"I realized that they were going to hit me — it was inevitable," Krista continued. "They were heading straight for where Jonah was sitting, and I had the thought to move to the outside lane to buy a little more time. I couldn't believe how calm I felt. I didn't freak out, but quickly moved over into the other lane. It seemed as if time stood still until … bam! I could tell we were hit in the rear of our vehicle.

At this point, Krista said the car began to spin and roll. She felt herself "being thrown around like a rag doll" but remember thinking it was odd that she didn't feel any pain.

"I hear McKenna screaming and saying, 'This is not happening. This is a dream!'" Krista wrote. "I hear Andrew crying and screaming. For some reason I don't remember Jonah screaming while we were rolling, but once we stopped he started wailing. I have to say that hearing my children scream was the best sound in the world; I knew they were at least alive!”

The car had skid and rolled nearly 1,000 feet before landing upside down.

Immediately after the crash, witnesses stopped to help the family out of the vehicle, and emergency help soon arrived.

Related:

Car seat tips to keep your child safe

During the winter, parents need to think twice before strapping their child into a car seat with a puffy coat on. Chances are the coat is putting the child in danger.

A gash to the back of Krista's head, a deep wound in Andrew's foot and minor scratches on McKenna's hands were the extent of the family's injuries.

Each person in the car was wearing a seat belt.

“Sometimes we may not understand why we need to go through certain trials in our lives," Krista wrote. "I don't know why we were meant to have this experience, but I do know that it has changed me profoundly. I hope I can learn what I need to learn, and possibly help someone else in the process."

The experience has solidified her belief that seat belts really do save lives.

"I am so glad buckling up is not an option in our family," Krista wrote. "I'm grateful I was able to go home and hug my children because they were buckled, rather than saying, ‘If only ... ’ ”

For the complete story told by Krista, visit her blog at bkturnercrew.blogspot.com

To find more on Utah's seat belt laws and other safe driving habits, go to utah.zerofatalities.com.

Arianne Brown is a mother of six who loves running the beautiful trails around Utah. For more articles by Arianne, "like" her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter @arimom5, or visit her blog, timetofititin.com. If you have a story to share, contact her at ariannebrown1@gmail.com.

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