Hundreds Gather to Honor Teens Killed in Juab County Crash

Community mourns the loss of 17-year-old Ava Olivarez and 15-year-old Xander Hover in emotional celebration of life service.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:52am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of shattered car window glass reflecting the faint glow of emergency lights, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a fatal vehicle collision.The shattered remnants of a tragic accident serve as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of safe driving.Draper Today

Hundreds of people attended a celebration of life service on Saturday to honor 17-year-old Ava Olivarez and 15-year-old Xander Hover, who were killed in a tragic car crash in Juab County on April 2nd. The service was filled with songs, prayers, and emotional tributes from loved ones sharing memories of the two teenagers.

Why it matters

The crash that claimed the lives of Ava and Xander has devastated their families and the broader community. The celebration of life service provided an opportunity for the community to come together and grieve the loss of these young lives, while also honoring their memory and legacy.

The details

Ava Olivarez was driving Xander Hover and 15-year-old Corey Wayman along a highway in Juab County when the truck lost control and rolled over multiple times. None of the three teens were wearing seatbelts and were ejected from the vehicle, resulting in the deaths of Ava and Xander. Corey Wayman was critically injured but survived the crash.

  • The crash occurred on April 2, 2026.
  • The celebration of life service was held on Saturday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Ava Olivarez

A 17-year-old who was killed in the Juab County crash.

Xander Hover

A 15-year-old who was killed in the Juab County crash.

Corey Wayman

A 15-year-old who was critically injured in the Juab County crash but survived.

Aaron Olivarez

Ava Olivarez's father, who spoke at the celebration of life service.

Brittany Pro

Xander Hover's sister, who spoke at the celebration of life service.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Beautiful, fierce, strong, genuine, courageous, pure light. These are just a few of the things that I've heard over the last seven days. There's so many firsts that she will not have. Her graduation, college days, Top Fuel championship. There was so many firsts that she did. She touched so many people's lives here.”

— Aaron Olivarez, Ava Olivarez's father

“Some of my favorite things about Xander was we were always in competition. It didn't matter what it was. I could get home from a softball game and be like, 'Oh, I hit two home runs.' And he'd be like, 'Oh, I would have hit like 10.' He was the best brother anyone could ask for. We're going to miss him.”

— Brittany Pro, Xander Hover's sister

“I know I'm here for a reason. Don't know how I survived, but I'm just going to keep living for them. Everything they do.”

— Corey Wayman, Lone survivor of the crash

“I'm going to do everything I can to get through this cancer. However, at this point, I'm not afraid. When it's her time to come get me, I hope it's her that's welcoming me with open arms.”

— Aaron Olivarez, Ava Olivarez's father

What’s next

The families of Ava Olivarez and Xander Hover have set up GoFundMe pages to help cover the costs associated with the tragic crash and memorial services.

The takeaway

The celebration of life service for Ava Olivarez and Xander Hover was a heartbreaking but poignant reminder of the profound impact these two young lives had on their community. Their families and friends will continue to grieve their loss, but also find solace in the memories and legacies they left behind.