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SPANISH FORK — Lynn Jennifer "Jenny" Groesbeck wanted to become a medical assistant because she loved helping others.
"She was very compassionate and a very loving person and always willing to bend over backwards for her loved ones. Her baby was the love of her life. She was an amazing mother," Groesbeck's sister, Jill Sanderson, said Sunday.
About 10:30 p.m. Friday, Groesbeck, 25, of Springville, was killed when her car, for an unknown reason, hit a cement barrier at the end of a bridge, went off the road near Arrowhead Trail and Main Street in Spanish Fork and into the Spanish Fork River. Because of where the car landed, it was difficult to see from the road.
The vehicle ended up on its top in the water. Groesbeck was killed. But her 18-month-old daughter, Lily, strapped upside down in her child seat was rescued about 14 hours later after a fisherman saw the wrecked vehicle and called police.
"She is doing remarkably well considering the circumstance. The doctors have been hopeful so far," Sanderson said. "We would like to express our appreciation to the Spanish Fork rescue team for saving the baby's life."
Lily was first taken to Mountain View Hospital before being flown by medical helicopter to Primary Children's Hospital. Police said Sunday she was still in critical condition but was stable.
Several police officers and firefighters who jumped into the river to help push the car onto its side and get Lily out were treated at a local hospital for hypothermia and were later released.
Groesbeck was the youngest of five children, including three brothers, her sister said. She lived in Utah County all of her life, going to school at Provo High and was currently enrolled at Provo College. Being in the outdoors and spending time with her family were two things that she loved doing, Sanderson said.
Just before the crash on Friday, police say Groesbeck had been visiting her parents in Salem.
There has been a fundraising Go Fund Me account created for the family.
*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies 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 advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
