Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
PROVO — A family business in Utah County is gathering community support for a woman whose husband was hit and killed by a drowsy driver. That woman is also speaking about her heartbreaking loss, with a message of forgiveness.
Will's Pit Stop in Provo prides itself on being a business where family means everything. Kassidy Wattleworth, the granddaughter of the man who built the gas station, manages the convenience store.
She often knows the customers who walk in, and Wattleworth said the gas station always has great community support.
That's now evident in a jar that sits on the counter next to the register. "For Julieta," a paper on the jar reads. In front of the jar, a laminated paper explains who Julieta Done is and how the family knows her.
"I've known Julie my whole life," Wattleworth explained. "She's definitely become family to us."
Right now, her friend is in need.
"I don't want this tragedy to destroy her life," Wattleworth expressed.
Julieta recently lost her husband, Kevin Done. Springville police said a driver who was drowsy and fell asleep at the wheel hit and killed Kevin as he rode his bike to work.
Standing outside her home Tuesday, Julieta explained to KSL-TV how she met her husband more than three decades ago. She talked about how he enjoyed riding his bicycle to work. The two liked to get away into the mountains.
"He's my life, everything," she said.
Julieta said her husband was a good man and her angel.
"He's my angel for 30 years," she said. She paused to look up and point to the sky, getting choked up. "One day we'll be together."
While it's hard to get through, Julieta expressed forgiveness to the driver, who police said is an 18-year-old woman.
"I pray for her because I'm very sad for her, too," she said.
Julieta said she feels peace, love and generosity when she thinks of the driver. Wattleworth expressed how that sentiment shows the pure-hearted, good person her family has known for more than 25 years.
"She literally is the most amazing, grateful human being you'll ever meet in your life," she said.
Not wanting the widow to move forward alone and without the couple's main source of income, Wattleworth said her first thought was to put out jars at Will's Pit Stop and Will's Canyon Stop for donations. Wattleworth also created a GoFundMe* to raise funds online.
"Kevin's all she had," Wattleworth said. "Just thinking of her continuing on in life without that is heartbreaking."
So, on the gas station counter, a jar filled with cash shows a vessel of support and love for Julieta.
"She's so humble and kind," Wattleworth said. "So, (we're) just showing her that we're here for her and that there are people that are here to have her back."
Bicyclist hit and killed on his way to work in Springville
A bicyclist was injured and later died after being hit by a vehicle early Wednesday while on his way to work, Springville police say.*KSL.com does not assure that the money 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 advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
