MILLVILLE, Utah — Two teenagers were killed in a car crash Saturday night in Cache County, with another three left critically injured.
The five teens were on State Route 165 in Millville when their car went into the oncoming lanes, collided with a minivan and rolled. Utah Highway Patrol said they were not wearing seatbelts, and three of the five were ejected from the car.
Xylie Hutchinson, 14, and Laulea "CJ" Fiefia, 17, died from their injuries.
FAMILY REMEMBERS CJ FIEFIA
Fiefia was a well-known and beloved member of Cache County’s close-knit Tongan community. Monday afternoon, several relatives, along with many friends, gathered at his mom‘s home to honor and remember him with words and in song.
“He was part of our family. He was like our brother. Just really going to miss his presence," said Christie Polotu, his cousin.
“I’ve never seen such a happy boy! He was just full of spirit and he was just full of life. He taught my kids how to have fun," added Sulieti Polotu, his aunt.
But Fiefia also knew the value of hard work. He was one of three children being raised by a single mom, a woman dealing with health issues. So between sports, school, church and work on the weekends, relatives say Fiefia was dedicated to his family and his faith.
"Laulea balanced school, work, and sports to help provide for his family," a GoFundMe for his family says. "His loyalty, sense of humor, and competitive spirit made him a beloved son, brother, and friend to many."
His uncle Vil Matangi set up the GoFundMe for Fiefia's mom and talked with FOX 13 about one of the last conversations he had with his nephew.
“We were talking about his football season, his plans for next year, and just all his ambitions," Matangi said. "So those kind of flooded into my mind, and it just seems surreal that he was gone.”
TEAMMATES, COACHES HONOR XYLIE HUTCHINSON
Hutchinson was a rising star in local youth hockey leagues and played on teams from Salt Lake to Logan, including the newly-formed Utah North Girls Hockey team.
News of Saturday's tragedy swept through the local hockey community.
"In hockey, we described them as a glue player — someone who holds the group together. That was Xylie," said Don McFarland, the head coach of Utah North Girls Hockey.
McFarland said Hutchinson easily made an impression both on and off the ice.
"She was a fierce competitor when the whistle blew. But in between, you've never seen somebody love life more," McFarland said.
The team had just played Friday night with Hutchinson, notching a win in only their second game of the season.
"Hockey's already a small world. Up there [in Cache Valley], it's even smaller," said Will Freigang, an assistant coach for Utah North Girls.
"Literally, she is the light on the team. It's going to be way different without her," said Morgan McFarland, who played with Hutchinson.
By Sunday, the community came out in droves to support her in an entirely different way.
"We had girls who showed up to the hospital last night who knew her for two weeks," said Emma McFarland, another teammate. "They were still teary-eyed because Xylie just makes that big of a difference."
The organizers of a GoFundMe for Hutchinson's family said the crash left her with no brain activity. As loved ones try to prepare for her funeral, they're asking everyone to "live like Xylie."
"There is not one picture where her tongue is inside her mouth. She was always smiling, laughing, dancing around," Morgan McFarland said.
"If you want to live like Xylie, the best thing you can do is not be afraid to do what makes you happy," Freigang said. "She's the kind of kid that makes coaching worth it. She's what makes it fun. Really proud of her," Freigang said.
Fundraisers for the families of Kaycin Nielsen, Braxton Miller and Thalia, the three teens who are recovering, have been confirmed by GoFundMe.
