Rexburg community rallies around two families following fatal car crash
The Rexburg community is rallying around two families after a single car rollover killed three people on a Montana highway last Friday.
Olivia Tavares, 10, of Rexburg was a passenger in a vehicle driven by her grandmother, Cynthia Boone, when Montana State Police say Boone lost control of her car, drove in the median, over corrected and rolled the car. Tavares, her cousin and Boone were killed in the crash. Two other cousins, Jade and Vera Phillips, were hurt in the crash.
“I just can’t imagine,” said Jennie Plastow, a family friend and Jennie’s Sugar Shack owner and family friend. “Losing a child, I just can’t imagine.”
Plastow taught Tavares in several of her baking classes. The two became instant friends. Tavares’ obituary describes her as a young girl with a “infectious smile.” She loved to bake, especially “the best” apple pies, according to her obituary.
“She is just a sweet, fun girl,” Plastow said. “She brightened up the room when she walked in.”
Plastow has a special connection to the Phillips family as well.
“As many of you know… we are renting out the Cocoa Lodge from the Phillips to use as the Sugar Shack,” Plastow wrote on Facebook
On Friday, Plastow is using her Sugar Shack as the location as a fundraiser for the two families.
“We love them,” Plastow said. We love and appreciate them.”
All of the proceeds from cupcakes sold between 4 and 10 p.m. will given to the families. All of the ingredients were donated by the community.
“It has been amazing,” Plastow said. “We already have almost 20, one-dozen orders for Friday.”
The fundraiser will take place at 310 N. 2nd East in Rexburg. Cupcakes will be $2 each or $18 for a dozen.
“I love this community,” Plastow said. “It is just amazing the outreach and the compassion.”
Funeral services for Tavares are scheduled for Friday at the LDS church on Mariah Ave. in Rexburg. A YouCaring page has been setup for Jade and Vera, both of whom have been released from the hospital.
