An American couple who died as the result of a devastating crash a week before Christmas were on their way to tell family they were expecting a baby.
Parker, 26, and Chloe Stott, 24, were travelling home to Arizona on December 20 when they were hit head-on by a truck near the town of Wickenburg.
Chloe died at the scene, along with her unborn child, whom the couple had named Benjamin.
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Parker was flown to hospital with extensive injuries, including broken bones in his lower body and burns to 30 per cent of his legs, resulting in the amputation of his right leg.
In an Instagram post on Christmas Eve, the couple’s family confirmed Parker had succumbed to his injuries after going in for his third surgery that morning.
“At the completion of the surgery, the surgeons delivered the news that Parker’s injuries were even more extensive than what we were already aware of and the outlook was extremely bleak,” the family said.
“A few hours later, we received the update that Parker’s vitals were dropping and he was going fast.
“We gathered around him as a family, kissed him, hugged him, held his hand, told him just how much we loved him and how proud we were of him.
“He is the strongest person and has fought so hard.”
According to the couple’s business manager and friend Scout Whiteley, Chloe was about 10 weeks pregnant.
The pair were on their way to visit family for Christmas where they had planned to deliver the news.
“They were so excited to be parents and share the news with their loved ones over Christmas,” the couple’s family said.
The family also revealed the baby boy’s name — Benjamin Gary Stott.
“We know they are in a better place and get to be together,” they wrote.
“We know they will be watching over us, cheering us all on until we get to reunite with them again.
“We love you forever Chloe and Parker.”
A GoFundMe has been set up for the couple’s family, with the money to go towards medical and funeral bills.
Almost $A300,000 has been raised.
The Arizona department of public safety says the Toyota Tundra that Parker and Chloe were travelling in was passing vehicles on the US 93 highway when the crash occurred.
“(The car) failed to complete the pass and collided head-on with a commercial truck tractor pulling a trailer loaded with home goods,” said department spokesman Raul Garcia.
The truck driver was taken to hospital as a precaution and the highway was closed for six hours.