Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
RICHFIELD — Two Richfield women and a man were killed and a fourth person was injured in New Zealand on Tuesday when an SUV holding four vacationers from the Sevier County city collided with a semitrailer.
The crash occurred when the SUV turned in front of the semi just a few miles outside Hamilton, a city of about 145,000, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Tammy Barnett and married couple Mitchell and Ruth Peterson were killed in the wreck. Barnett’s husband, Richard Barnett, was injured and was in stable condition Wednesday, Richfield Mayor David Ogden said.
Richard Barnett is expected to be released from the hospital sometime Thursday, Ogden said.
Mitchell Peterson ran the Mountain View Vision Center in Richfield, and Richard Barnett is an orthodontist there. Ogden said the entire community was shaken by the fatal crash.
“The whole valley has been affected by this," the mayor said. "We all know them. They are so important in our lives, and so we are going to rally around the families."
The Petersons were visible members of the community in Richfield, Ogden said. They are survived by five children.
It's hard to even see a smile anywhere in town. … They were well-loved by people in our community — such good citizens, always contributing.
–Richfield Mayor David Ogden
"It's hard to even see a smile anywhere in town. … They were well-loved by people in our community — such good citizens, always contributing," he said.
Tammy Hales was friends with Tammy Barnett. Hales said the woman would be missed by everyone she knew.
“She was a very good mother and grandmother," Hales said. "Her children and her grandchildren were her life. She was loved by everyone that knew her.”
Hales got emotional as she talked about the Barnetts' four children being their life.
"They were just happy, loving people," she said.
A statement on a GoFundMe donation website* established for the Barnetts said the couple had been "on the trip of a lifetime."
"Tammy had an incredible energy about her and will be sorely missed," the statement said.
The fundraiser pulled in just more than $1,000 of its $10,000 goal within about six hours of being posted.
A separate GoFundMe site* for the Petersons' funeral costs was launched Wednesday evening, with a goal of $25,000.
"Mitch and Ruth are the type of people you are drawn to. They would do anything for anyone, and they had a contagious energy," read a statement on the fundraising page. "They were devoted parents who would sacrifice everything for their children. As they talked about their children, you could see their absolute love and devotion to them. Their children were the center of their universe."
Mitchell Peterson was a bishop in his LDS ward, according to the site.
The two couples were vacationing and were just minutes away from the LDS temple they were planning to visit at the time of the crash, according to the Herald.
Another Richfield couple was also on the trip, but they were not in the vehicle that wrecked. They remained in New Zealand to take care of Richard Barnett while he recovers.
Family members said it will take several days to finalize funeral plans.
Email: blockhart@deseretnews.com
*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit or donation you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
