PROVO — An entire family of five is expected to be in the hospital through this week after getting injured in a crash in Utah County.
Allen Buma, along with wife Tiffany Buma, and their three kids will likely spend Christmas at Utah Valley Hospital. They were towing a toy hauler full of a storage unit of belongings while moving from California to Idaho.
Saturday morning, Buma said their truck rolled about three times after another vehicle collided with the side of their trailer along Interstate 15 in Mona in Juab County.
“All our belongings from the past 15 years was tossed half a football field across the freeway,” he said. “During the accident, as time stood still, my wife prayed that our family would be safe.”
Buma said there were some tools and art supplies in the trailer, along with many family keepsakes that are irreplaceable. Even worse, their family dog, Valentine, did not survive the crash.
“She’s not just a pet, but an inside dog that went with us everywhere,” Buma said through tears. “She was another family member.”
Buma was discharged from the hospital Thursday, but he’s staying there with the rest of his family as they all have injuries. In the meantime, he is having to work through being able to walk like normal again, taking slow, painful steps for now.
“We’re right now on the road to recovery. It’s been tough,” Buma said. “Everybody’s hurting.”
At the same time, however, he said his family is grateful for the outpouring of support they’ve received from family, friends, and strangers in Utah. That response started at the crash scene.
“Chris and Brent from May Automotive were called to clean up the crash site. They immediately realized it was a family’s whole life scattered across the highway,” Buma recalled. “He had his whole family come out and help gather and clean the site.”
Buma said members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo brought blankets, clothing, food, and hygiene items to the hospital. In the face of a very difficult time, he says strangers are making things better.
“I’m so grateful. I can’t believe how many people have came out of everywhere to help us,” he said. “If you’re going to be in an accident, hopefully it should be in Utah.”
A family friend has also set up a donation page on GoFundMe.*
Buma said many strangers are also showing up to help there, likely people who have supported his art and his wife’s work as a seamstress through their social media followings.
*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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