MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The family of a woman who was killed in a crash while honeymooning with her new husband said they are “absolutely devastated and heartbroken.”
Thirty-year-old Leah Fonda Preiss died of her injuries in the crash last Saturday in the town of Rollinsford, New Hampshire at about 4:27 p.m. Saturday. Her husband Brian Preiss, 30, was seriously hurt and is still hospitalized with head trauma and internal injuries.
In a statement, the family of Fonda Preiss said, “We all are left with a gaping hole in our lives, and there are no words to describe our sudden loss of an amazing woman.”
Police arrested Matthew Tsopas, of New Hampshire, in the crash, after he attempted to flee the scene. Authorities say he was drunk at the time of the crash.
Relatives said the couple got married just over a week ago in Bloomington in front of a small group of close family and friends. Both were ride operators at the Nickelodeon Universe theme park in the Mall of America.
“It is especially tragic that Leah’s death comes a week after her wedding and a little more than a week before her 31st birthday at the hands of someone who acted carelessly and irresponsibly by drinking and driving. There are no words for our anger and disappointment at the driver’s decision to do so,” the statement from the family said. “It was at his hands that our beloved Leah was taken away from us and the life she had dreamed of for so long. It is unfathomable that within in a week Leah and Brian had both the best and worst days of their lives. There is no sense to this that we can see, but we hope that this is an eye opening event for many about the consequences of drinking and driving and that they will chose to act responsibly.”
A memorial fund has been set up to help the Preiss family.
Contributions can be sent to:
The Leah Fonda Preiss Memorial Fund
c/o Wells Fargo Bank
809 10th Avenue North
Sartell, MN 56377
