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SOUTH JORDAN — A West Valley woman and her 4-year-old son died in a head-on collision Friday morning after she allegedly crossed into oncoming traffic.
Zaven Meguerditchian, 4, was pronounced dead at the scene. His mother, Rashelle Meguerditchian, 31, died several hours later at an area hospital.
Zaven was in a child booster seat, with a seat belt on, in the back of his mother's car when the crash occurred just before 6 a.m., according to South Jordan police officer Sam Winkler.
Investigators believe Meguerditchian was driving her red passenger vehicle on the wrong side of Bacchus Highway, also known as state Route 111, near 10800 South, said Winkler, when it was hit head-on by a large pickup truck.
"We found roadway evidence that the red car was mostly on the wrong side of the road going northbound in the southbound lane. And the truck tried to avoid it by going left around the car, and the collision took place," he said.
There was no evidence of braking on the part of the mother's vehicle, Winkler said.
Why Meguerditchian was apparently driving on the wrong side of the road was still being investigated Friday. The driver of the truck, a 33-year-old man, was also transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
State Route 111 was closed in both directions between 11800 South and 10200 South for several hours as crews investigated the accident.
Meguerditchian was a married mother of two, according to her Facebook page.
"I have the sweetest cutes kids, a great husband and the BEST friends and family anyone can ask for!!!!" she wrote. "My heart has two halves one side is my amazing little girl. She is so beautiful and smart with such a passion for life. The other half is my precious baby boy zaven growing so fast and is interested in all life has to offer.. such a sweet pure innocent soul.
"These 2 angels complete my Heart they make me push harder jump higher and have taught me truly how to truly love ununconditionally. My kids are my whole world."
Contributing: Whitney Evans
