Single mom of 3 who died in LaVerkin accident loved spending time with family

LA VERKIN, Washington County — Family and friends are mourning the loss of Angelina Thomas Francisco, 45, who died from injuries sustained in an off-highway vehicle crash over the weekend.

The accident happened around 9:40 p.m. Saturday while Francisco was a passenger with two other riders in an OHV on Overlook Road in LaVerkin. The vehicle went over a pothole, ejecting all three occupants. Francisco sustained critical injuries and was flown to St. George Regional Hospital.

Francisco was pronounced brain-dead on Monday, but was removed from life support around 1 p.m. Wednesday, according to family members.

The family released a statement to KSL, saying that Angelina, also "known to the world as Angie," was born in Guatemala and was brought to the United States in the early 1990s and raised in Florida. She was a mother of three boys, ages 25, 20 and 16. She moved to Utah in the early 2000s after giving birth to her first son, and then met "the love of her life."

"She met the love of her life while in Utah and had two more boys," the statement read. "Later in life, she found that the love of her life had cancer and … he passed away in 2019, which left her a single mom."

Family members said how much she loved her family, cooking and the outdoors. Family spokesperson Bobbi Jade told KSL that Francisco always "put family first."

"Any time that she had a reason for a gathering of the family and cooking together, she definitely took the opportunity," Jade said. "Her sons were number one in her life, and she loved to go anywhere with them. She really loved the outdoors, especially."

Jade said Francisco grew up Catholic and helped with regular fundraisers for her church community.

"This is a tragic accident that has left our family grieving," the family's statement read. "She has left a mark on so many people in this world. She always had a smile on her face and would help anyone in need. She has the best heart and will not be forgotten.

"She left a motto in life of 'No one is better than another.'"

A GoFundMe* account has been set up for Francisco's family to help cover costs associated with their loss.

*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.

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