LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A UNLV grad student excited to go home for the holidays never made it home.
FOX5 is learning that 29-year-old Darren Westby was killed in a crash in California leaving his soon-to-be bride with critical injuries.
“They were just one,” said Darren’s dad, Bill Westby. One couple who was ready to conquer the world together.
“They had been together for 4 years and done so many adventures together,” Darren’s father added.
Westby speaks to us from his home in California as he remembers his son Darren.
“He was a lover of the outdoors, loved rock climbing, we always thought we would get the call from rock climbing
They did get a call but it wasn’t about Darren rock climbing.
“I was up till 3 am, it was just the most horrific night.”
Bill says on the evening of December 20th his son Darren and his fiancée, Jocelyn had just finished skiing and were on their way to LA for the holidays when they were hit by another car head-on killing Darren instantly.
His fiancée left with a broken back and head injuries.
“It is sad but until it happens, the hole that it leaves in your soul is a part of you that you molded and sculpted into this human being,”
Darren was a grad student at UNLV studying geology and had just moved to Summerlin in August.
Jocelyn had just moved in days before the crash as she was getting ready to start her new job next week. The two were supposed to get married in May.
10:21 “She is coming to grips with it, she has to move on. This was her soul mate,” Westby explained.
Bill says since his son loved rock climbing and loved Red Rock, they are looking to put a permanent memorial in the area in honor of him.
The family is also coming to Las Vegas later this week to meet with UNLV staff who meant so much to Darren.
Darren’s GoFundMe account can be found here.
Jocelyn’s GoFundMe account can be found here.
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