Mother Of 6 Killed In Crash After Visiting Her Preemie Twins In The Hospital

SANTA CLARITA, CA — The community of Santa Clarita is mourning today for the death of a 37-year-old mother of six killed in a crash on her way home from visiting her newborn twin preemies in the hospital. The driver who caused the crash, a 21-year-old Santa Clarita woman, is suspected of driving while under the influence.

The crash happened shortly before midnight Friday near Golden Valley and Soledad Canyon Road. The suspected drunk driver hit a curb and careened into oncoming traffic. Katie Evans died instantly, leaving behind her husband, her twins and children, ages 12, 11, 9 and 2.

The other driver, a young woman who just turned 21 faces prison time pending the results of blood tests, according to Shirley Miller, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's Santa Clarita Valley sheriff’s station.

“We just have to wait, and if it is found that she was intoxicated at the time of the accident she will be facing vehicular manslaughter charges,” said Miller.

“What makes it hard for this area, they both were residents of our community. A lot of people know individuals on both sides, and that’s what makes this extremely painful.”

Despite their sorrow, many in the community are rallying around the Evans family, and the twins are getting healthier each day.

"That's the irony, right? Is that you have dozens of medical professionals who have spent years training, and they've spent months actually working to save two lives that we thought would be lost, and then we have a life we thought we'd have that was lost just because of two bad decisions: one to go out drinking and the other -- worse one -- to drive afterward, and obviously it breaks my heart and it's broken six little hearts," Katie’s husband Jacob Evans told ABC News.

Local elementary school students opened a lemonade stand to raise money for the family.

The Five Knolls community organized a drive to collect items such as diapers for the Evans family. And a YouCaring page was created to raise money for the grieving family.

Donors have already more than doubled the original fundraising goal of $100,000. Now supporters hope to raise $500,000 so the family won’t have to move away for more affordable childcare.

“Katie couldn't go a day without visiting her brand-new twin girls in the hospital. She was a devoted mother, sister and wife and will be immensely missed,” according to Natalie Mortensen, who created the YouCaring page.

“Jacob is left to care for 6 kids by himself. There will be many childcare costs as well as unforeseen expenses. We know many would like to help but don't know how to, or are too far away to help in person. If you would like to donate towards childcare and other expenses, you could make Jacob's life a little easier.”

Thousands have stepped up to help the family.

“The way that the community has responded to the has exceeded all expectations,” said Miller.

Photo: YouCaring