Puerto Morelos, Q.R. — An American woman involved in a Puerto Morelos highway accident has died. Her family reported her death Thursday night. Elise Caffee died days after suffering extensive burns when a dump truck carrying hot asphalt overturned and landed partially on the vehicle she was in.
The accident happened March 6 on a section of federal highway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Elise had arrived in Cancun with her husband Dan to attend a wedding and were on their way to their hotel at the time of the accident.
They were traveling in a black SUV and became part of the accident scene at the Puerto Morelos bridge, approximately half way between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
A total of 12 vehicles were involved when the young driver of a dump truck overturned, spilling hot asphalt on several vehicles.
The driver of a white SUV was killed after the asphalt collapsed his windshield and filled the cab of his vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Elise Caffee was one of several injured in the accident.
“It happened right in front of a hospital which is a miracle. Hospital workers rushed out and immediately started trying to help get people out from under cars … but were getting burned through their protective gloves because the asphalt was so hot. Elise’s body is badly burned, her face is not,” her family posted on social media after the accident.
She was transferred to Cancun and then flown to Utah for medical treatment where she died several days later.
“We are absolutely heartbroken to share the news of Elise’s passing tonight. She held on so long and fought so hard against an impossibly difficult set of circumstances. Absolutely everything that could have been done for her was done and we are so grateful she was able to make it back home to say good bye to her family before leaving us.
“We believe in eternal families and know we’ll see our beautiful mom, sister, wife, and daughter again. We’re so grateful for all the prayers and love that have buoyed us up in the last few days and that we know will continue to in the days ahead. The Caffee and Smith Families.” She leaves behind a husband and three daughters.
On March 6, a 17 year old teen was transporting a load of hot asphalt to a construction site along the federal highway when he overturned at Puerto Morelos. The overturned truck dumped the load of hot asphalt onto several vehicles.
