Child’s death leaves ‘gaping hole in family’s soul’ as sister, mother remain hospitalized
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IDAHO FALLS — A 7-year-old boy with an “angelic smile that grew the faith of others” will be laid to rest Saturday after being killed in a serious car crash.
Cole Eck was riding in a vehicle with his 12-year-old sister, Madisen Eck, and their mother, Jennifer Eck, on Saturday, Aug. 6, in Wyoming.
The family, which had recently moved to Rustburg, Virginia from Idaho Falls, was traveling to Idaho to surprise family with a visit, according to relatives.
As they were driving southbound on U.S. Highway 89 near Alpine, Wyoming law enforcement says, a northbound vehicle crossed into the southbound lane.
Authorities say Jennifer was unable to avoid the oncoming car and slammed into it.
Jay Lish, a 27-year-old man from Etna, Wyoming, was in a passenger in the other vehicle. He died from injuries sustained in the accident. Elizabeth Gay, the driver of the other vehicle, was taken by ambulance to St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson, Wyoming.
Cole was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, where he died. Jennifer and Madisen were taken to St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson, Wyoming, and Jennifer was then airlifted to the University of Utah hospital.
According to a GoFundMe page set up for the family, Madisen underwent surgery for an intra-abdominal hemorrhage. She is recovering and has been moved out of ICU, family members tell EastIdahoNews.com.
Jennifer remains unconscious and has undergone numerous surgeries.
“She just went for a head MRI and we should have more answers in the morning,” Dusty Eck, Jennifer’s husband and the father of Madisen and Cole, wrote in a Facebook post. “I thank you all for your continued prayers and support.”
The Eck family lived in Idaho Falls for years. Cole’s funeral will be held at the LDS church building on Boulevard and 9th Street in Idaho Falls at 11 a.m. this Saturday.
Dusty says following graveside services, there will be a picnic at Kate Curley Park in Idaho Falls – “Cole’s favorite park.”
Dusty says he wrote his son’s obituary sitting in the ICU with his wife:
“Cole was Norman Rockwell’s quintessential 7-year-old boy that every young mother dreams her sweet baby will one day become. Since he took his first breath, his angelic smile has grown the faith of others just as the heavenly rains cultivate life…
“Cole was motivated by the joy of those who surrounded him. Generous and giving by nature, he was always thinking of others. More than once when he knew that family finances were tight, Cole offered his own birthday money to fund the trip to the ice cream shop.
“Cole loved his family, especially his older sister Madisen, in a way that can only be described as ‘absolute and unconditional.’
“Never again in this life to hear the celestial sound of his laughter, Cole’s sudden absence has blasted a jagged, gaping hole into the very fabric of his family’s soul. Death’s unexpected visit brings with it a tortuous pain that no parent should ever have to feel. The healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, however, knows no bounds, not even for this. It would be so easy to embrace anger and hatred but there is too much of that in the world and besides, that’s not what Cole would have wanted. Cole’s parents and family hold no guile for his untimely death.”
CLICK HERE to read the entire obituary and for more information on the Eck family GoFundMe account.