Family moving to Oklahoma City hit by semi truck miraculously survives

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — This week, the Carpenter family was moving to Oklahoma City to begin a new life, but were struck by tragedy on their way.

MollieMae Carpenter says she witnessed her family rolling and crashing, and thought they were deceased.

The horrific crash has changed their lives forever.

"It gave us a new appreciation of life," Carpenter said.

MollieMae, her husband and their three kids were making the 22-hour drive from Idaho to Oklahoma City.

Carpenter said, "My sister reached out and we told her we were looking for community and just would like to, you know, try a new season, a new place, and she said, Oklahoma is amazing for that."

While on the highway in Idaho, a semi truck struck their trailer from behind.

"I was ahead of my family in our minivan, so I got I got to see all that from behind me, which was really hard," Carpenter said.

When MollieMae got out of their minivan, a nearby driver told her their RV trailer had exploded.

She described being in shock and paralyzed thinking about possibly picking up the bodies of her kids.

All three of her kids and her husband survived the crash, walking away with only bruises.

"The EMTs were amazed that our children were alive," Carpenter said.

Their family lost everything they were moving with, including their two pets, but Carpenter said a miracle kept her husband and babies alive.

"The most high, the most high of heaven on earth, For sure. Our faith is what drives us. And we try to shine a light everywhere we go and just give him all the praise," Carpenter said.

They're now focused on rebuilding and resting. Carpenter said the open arms from Oklahomans near and far is what's keeping them going.

Carpenter said, "We're a strong family unit, but it's really cool to feel family outside of your family."

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