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SMITHFIELD, Cache County — A Providence woman died in a crash Saturday afternoon on state Route 218 near Smithfield.
Samantha Perkes, 28, was killed instantly when a Ford Fusion hit her Pontiac Grand Am head-on at about 3:40 p.m., Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Lee Perry said.
The Fusion, driven by a 15-year-old boy from Cache County, was headed west on S.R. 218 when it veered into the eastbound lanes near mile marker 6. A vehicle in front of the Perkes' Grand Am swerved out of the lane to avoid colliding with the car, but Perkes had no time to react, the lieutenant said.
Perkes’ two daughters, ages 7 and 4, were properly restrained in the back seat and suffered minor injuries. Perry said the girls were treated at Cache Valley Hospital and then transported to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City for overnight observation.
They were still in the hospital as of Sunday afternoon and will eventually be released to the care of their grandmother, Perry said.
The driver of the Fusion was also transported to Cache Valley Hospital and later flown to Primary Children’s Hospital with serious head injuries, Perry said.
The teenager was the only person in the Fusion and officials did not disclose his identity.
Perry said the teenager had a valid learner's permit but was driving alone. Investigators had not yet interviewed the teen Sunday, so they didn't know what caused him to drift into oncoming traffic.
"We've got several things we need to gather and put together on this to determine what the cause was," Perry said.
The Cache County Attorney's Office will also review the investigation's findings, Perry said.
Perkes' family members have set up a GoFundMe fundraiser page* to raise money to help offset funeral costs.
Contributing: McKenzie Romero
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
