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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
HEBER CITY — Two motorcyclists were sent to the hospital after being T-boned by a car on Thursday, according to police.
"We saw the Life Flight go, and I said, 'Oh gosh, I wonder what happened,'' Cindy Del Francia said.
Del Francia said she is close family friends with Jeff and Melinda Romney, the couple who was involved in the accident.
Utah Highway Patrol's Sgt. Cameron Roden said the crash happened on the state Route 32 and U.S. 40 intersection at approximately 7:28 p.m.
Roden said a Honda was crossing the intersection when it T-boned the motorcycle. He said a man and a woman on the motorcycle were transported by a medical helicopter in critical condition.
On Monday, he confirmed Melinda Romney, 53, from Wasatch County, had passed away.
"This still hasn't hit me that this is really real, that I can't call my friend up and talk about things or go walk up Memorial Hill," Del Francia said.
Family friends said Jeff Romney is still in the hospital in a medically induced coma.
"There's a few that are saying it's not a good chance, and there's others, like myself, who are hanging on for hope that he'll be able to be reunited with his kids," Greg Trimble said.
Trimble got to know Romney through their work with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Jeff was one of the first guys I met, and as always, he just had nothing but smiles and welcoming," he said. "I was able to work with him in a Young Men's program for several years."
Trimble said the couple complemented each other; they had the same infectious energy.
"Jeff and Melinda, they did everything together," Trimble said. "They were always together, and they always had their family together, both their kids."
He said the couple had two children together.
"I miss her, and I want her girls to be OK, and I feel sad that they won't have this wonderful person in their life anymore, but I think she'll watch over them, and I hope the best for their dad," Del Francia said.
She said Melinda Romney was extremely community-oriented and made new neighbors feel at home.
"She's just such a bubbly, friendly person." Del Francia said. "She was very service-oriented. She was always the one to show up at anyone's door when they needed help."
The couple loved spending time outdoors.
"Melinda played tennis, she was really good, she was on the national level. Jeff was her instructor and helped her," Del Francia said.
Trimble said Jeff Romney is known for his endless amounts of energy.
"A couple of weeks ago, I'm walking up the mountain on a hike, and he's coming down the mountain on a bike, and he passes me super fast, and he actually turns around, stops, gets off his bike, and walks back up to the top of the hill with me," Trimble said. "That's just how he was."
Their community mourns Melinda Romney's life and waits to see if her husband can recover.
"Hoping for a miracle with Jeff," Del Francia said.
The Utah Highway Patrol said its investigating if speed was a factor in the crash. They said there are no indications anyone involved was driving at extreme speeds. They said helmets were at the scene, but there is no indication the Romneys were wearing them.
