College freshman everywhere are gearing up to begin their college experiences. For parents, taking their kids to their new school and checking them in, then saying a wistful goodbye at the gates, can feel like a rite of passage. But for one incoming freshman and her mom, that trip to school ended in tragedy.
Eighteen-year-old Emma Nutter and her mom, Rebecca Haslemann, were both killed in a car crash on their way from California to Idaho to check Emma into Boise State for her first year of college. The crash happened on Highway 95 in eastern Oregon when a semi truck drifted into their Honda Odyssey.
Oregon state troopers say the semi was driven by Eric Murwanashyaka, 22, of Abilene, Texas. Both Rebecca and Emma died at the scene.
It's an incredibly sad tragedy, especially given the circumstances. It should've been a time of excitement and new experiences for this incoming student. Sadly, Emma's life, along with her mother's, was cut way too short.
Soon after the two women died, a GoFundMe page was set up to help their family. The organizer wrote, "Emma was an outgoing and vibrant friend, sister, cousin, niece, and overall amazing person. She lived each day to the fullest and touched so many people’s hearts. Rebecca Haslemann was a teacher, friend, mother, aunt, and wife. She treated every student and friend as if they were her own child."
Friends and family are deeply grieving the loss of these two women, who were clearly very loved and admired. But there has also been an outpouring of support for those they left behind. The GoFundMe page has already raised over $50,000 in just one day.
The GoFundMe description continued, "Both Emma and Rebecca always had positive attitudes, bright smiles, and an unforgettable, courageous laugh. They will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have felt the warmth of their personalities."
The truck driver was taken to the hospital for injuries. We don't know much more about what caused the crash to happen, or why the truck drifted into Emma and Rebecca's lane, but weariness behind the wheel is a leading cause for car accidents. That's especially true when it comes to truck drivers, who often have to drive for long hours and throughout the night.
