Elise Caffee, a dedicated parenting travel influencer based in Utah and a loving mother of three, sadly passed away just a week after a devastating accident involving hot asphalt. An Instagram account created for updates on Elise’s health confirmed her passing on March 12.
The unfortunate incident took place on March 6, while Elise and her husband, Dan, were in Cancún, Mexico, attending a wedding. Their vehicle was caught in a multi-car pile-up involving over ten cars as a truck transporting hot asphalt collided with them, flipping their car upside down.
Tragically, hot asphalt spilled into the car, severely injuring Elise, who was trapped inside. Rescuers reported that the asphalt was so dangerously hot that they too suffered burns, despite using protective equipment when attempting to free her and others from the wreckage.
Elise fought bravely for her life, but after a grueling week in the hospital, she succumbed to her injuries. A heartfelt message shared on social media by her family stated:
“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 goodbye to her family before leaving us.”
Plans for Elise’s funeral services are expected to be announced shortly.
Updates on Elise Caffee’s Condition Before Her Passing
In the wake of the tragic accident, Elise’s sister, Kristina Buskirk, initiated the @elisecaffeeupdates Instagram account. She reported that Elise, a mother of three, was relocated to an ICU in Playa del Carmen, with her condition initially classified as stable, albeit requiring sedation and intubation. Kristina shared:
“They are working to clean the asphalt from her burn wounds and help her get stable so that she can be transferred with a ICU medic plane to the University of Utah burn unit.”
It was confirmed that the driver of the car Elise and Dan were in tragically lost their life at the scene, although Dan himself did not sustain injuries.
Last week, Dan provided updates via social media about Elise’s critical condition, detailing the hospital team’s efforts to remove remaining asphalt from her wounds. She was prepared to be airlifted to the burn unit at the University of Utah.
While Elise was being transported back to her home in Salt Lake City, Kristina noted that she remained “very medically fragile.”After Elise was admitted to the burn unit, updates indicated:
“They are doing a checkup, assessing for injuries and determining the source of some fluid in her core and CT scans.”
Following surgery to address her severe burn injuries and the removal of affected skin, Elise was still deemed to be in “critical condition”and required further surgical intervention.
In subsequent updates, Kristina noted that doctors had delayed another surgery to allow for additional monitoring and potential recovery. After the initial procedure, Elise’s condition showed slight improvements.
Unfortunately, three days prior to Elise Caffee’s passing, Kristina revealed as Elise was being prepped for her second surgery:
“Doctors hope that treating her burns will help to show improvement in her kidney function, lung function, blood pressure, and lactic acid buildup, all of which continue to be serious concerns.”
Kristina also mentioned:
“Elise is currently on dialysis, intubated and relying on a ventilator to breathe, and is unconscious despite no longer being sedated with medication.”
Following the second surgery aimed at removing damaged tissue, Kristina conveyed that Elise continued her battle for survival.
Just two days before her passing, while recovering from surgery, medical staff attended to Elise’s wounds. Her husband Dan, along with their daughters, spent moments together with her in the hospital. Kristina shared a touching moment:
“The Caffee girls went in while Elise got her hair washed. Then the girls were able to take turns brushing it and braiding it…Dan ended the night serenading Elise with his guitar.”
Elise received an outpouring of prayers and support from her online community. Following her untimely death, Kristina expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the encouraging messages sent by friends and followers during this difficult time.