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HEBER CITY — A 2-year-old girl involved in a fatal crash Sunday has died.
Quincy Draper, who was riding with her grandparents Val and Kathleen Draper on May 6 when their vehicle crashed in Provo Canyon, died from injuries suffered in the accident, Primary Children's Medical Center spokeswoman Kate Crawford confirmed Tuesday.
The Utah Highway Patrol reported that the child succumbed to her injuries Monday.
The accident occurred just after 2 p.m. on U.S. 189 near Wallsburg, Wasatch County, when the Nissan Altima carrying Val And Kathleen Draper, both 63, and two of their grandchildren crossed the center line into oncoming traffic and hit a Subaru carrying two adults and one child.
Kathleen Draper, who was driving, was pronounced dead shortly after she was transported to an area hospital. Her husband, Val, also died as a result of his injuries. Both grandchildren, Quincy, and a 12-year-old girl, were transported to Primary Children's Medical Center in critical condition.
Traveling in the Subaru were Forest Finlayson, 24, his wife, Shantell Finlayson, 25, and their 3-year-old son. Shantell Finlayson, who was reportedly 25 weeks pregnant, was critically injured and lost her child, officials said. On Tuesday, she remained hospitalized in fair condition and her husband was released. Their 3-year-old son was reported to be in fair condition Monday.
This whole valley is gonna miss (Val Draper). Not just a few of us. I guess the only way to explain it is it's brutal — brutal on this community.
–Tom Bonner, director of Wasatch County Parks and Recreation.
The accident occurred in a construction zone, but the construction was not believed to have been a factor, according to the UHP. Investigators do not believe that speed, alcohol or drugs were factors in the accident.
All of those involved are residents of Heber City.
Kathleen Draper was a librarian at Wasatch High School and Val Draper was a former Wasatch County councilman and commissioner. He was also serving as bishop of the LDS Church's Heber First Ward. According to the Wasatch County website, Val Draper was instrumental in developing the Wasatch County Recreation Center.
"He took great pride in its success, so much so that when the Recreation Center opened Val worked the 5:30 a.m. shift," the website states. "He still held that position at the time of his death."
"This whole valley is gonna miss him. Not just a few of us," said Tom Bonner, director of Wasatch County Parks and Recreation. "I guess the only way to explain it is it's brutal — brutal on this community."
Bonner said both Kathleen and Val Draper were known as people who helped bind the community together and they will be dearly missed.
"When Kathy Draper was around, people were always happy," said Shawn Kelly, principal of Wasatch High. "She treated people like gold."
The Wasatch County website ended its message stating that the community extends its condolences to the Draper family and its prayers to the Finlaysons.
Contributing: Mike Anderson
