Friday, January 22, 2010

Some pretty sad news hit very close to home this week. I am so saddened by the loss of a young father of a small family that lives just a couple doors down the street.
It started early Tuesday afternoon with a number of emergency vehicles lining our street, firemen knocking on our doors telling us to stay inside, news crews, and eventually a hazmat crew. The scene looked an awful lot like it came right out of the movie E.T. and went well into the night. It was very exciting for the kids at the time it was all happening, even for me. But at the time it was all going down, and we didn't really know what was going on, I honestly thought that this was just another incident that was getting blown way out of proportion. As soon as we heard the news that Maurice had died, I know all of our hearts sank and we all had such a sick feeling in our stomachs just imagining a life without a dad.



A Saratoga Springs man in his early 30s died Tuesday hours after ingesting a hazardous substance, and two dozen people at the health clinic where he went for treatment were quarantined, officials said.
Intermountain Healthcare spokeswoman Janet Frank said the man, who police identified as Maurico Lacayo, apparently ingested selenomethionine at his job. She said early reports indicated Lacayo inhaled the substance, but she could not confirm that.
"We know that he was at work in Payson, where the exposure occurred," Frank said.
Frank says Lacayo worked at Sabinsa Corporation. The company's website says it manufactures synthetic substances used in pharmaceuticals and the nutrition industry.
Several hazmat crews in protective gear responded Lacayo's home in Saratoga Springs Tuesday afternoon.
Frank said Lacayo went home, changed his clothes, then went to the nearby InstaCare clinic because he wasn't feeling well. He later died at a hospital or on the way.
"It was a very sudden incident, and we're trying to track down exactly what the substance was that this gentleman ingested and what caused him to pass away," said Saratoga Springs police Cpl. Aaron Rosen.
Frank said in addition to the selenomethionine, Lacayo also had calcium citrate in his system; however, doctors believe it was the selenomethionine that killed him.
In addition to Lacayo's house, hazmat crews quarantined the Instacare where Lacayo sought help. 
KSL News 

All of our heart go out to the Lacayo family and we pray for them to have strength and feel peace.
Maurice leaves behind three small children, and I am sure a very heart broken young wife.

2 comments:

Rebecca said...

That is so sad. It makes you realize how suddenly your life can completely change and that you should appreciate what you have.

Amber said...

So sad. Have you heard anything new yet? Hope his family has a lot of support closeby.