Latter-day Saint Life

LDS Family Loses Both Parents, Newborn in Crash After Driving Home from Temple

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While traveling home from the Lubbock Texas Temple on April 7, an LDS family of seven lost both parents and a 2-month-old baby. 

Jim and Karisa Clemens were driving with their five children when their car crashed, killing Jim and Karisa along with their newborn, Julianna. The Texas Department of Public Safety is still investigating the cause of the crash. Three of the five Clemens children—Angela (8), Zachary (5), and Wyatt (4)—were life-flighted to Cook Children's Hospital and Wyatt and Angela are still in critical condition, according to a fundraising page. The Clemens's 2-year-old son only suffered minor bruises and scratches and is with his grandmother, according to San Angelo Standard-Times.

The San Angelo community and ward have rallied around the Clemens family following this tragic accident. A fundraiser created by Karisa's aunt on Facebook has already raised over $92,000 of its $40,000 goal, and the message states, "Thank you for your help and for your faith and prayers as we try to support this special family." Another fundraiser onYouCaring has raised an additional $19,400 and a fundraising dinner is scheduled on April 28.

Many have shared their love and positive memories on social media, including Karisa's cousin, Kim Frandsen, who had just celebrated her son's baptism before hearing the news of Karisa's passing. "There was such a sweet Spirit there that morning which carried through the rest of the day and proved to be a blessing as it upheld us when we heard the news that night of the tragic events that took the lives of my cousin. . . . I'm grateful to have been in a place to be so close to the Spirit so I could feel the much-needed peace amidst deep deep sorrow. God is good."

Lead image from YouCaring
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