Mission Viejo, California – In what many have described as a story of heartbreaking tragedy followed by an extraordinary twist of fate, a Southern California couple who lost their three young children in a devastating car accident welcomed triplets almost exactly one year later.
On May 4, 2007, Lori and Chris Coble were returning home from a family outing when their minivan was struck by a big-rig truck on Interstate 5 in Mission Viejo. Their three children—Kyle, 5, Emma, 4, and Katie, 2—were critically injured in the crash. All three later died from their injuries.
The driver of the truck was reportedly speeding and failed to stop in time, colliding into several vehicles, including the Cobles’ minivan. The tragedy garnered national attention and led to increased scrutiny of commercial trucking regulations in the state.
The accident left the couple devastated. “I remember praying to die,” Lori Coble recalled in a later interview. “Because I didn’t want to be here without them.”
In the wake of their unimaginable loss, the couple leaned on each other, their faith, and the support of their community as they navigated the depths of grief.
Just months after the accident, Lori discovered she was pregnant. In what doctors called a rare occurrence, the pregnancy turned out to be triplets—two girls and one boy—conceived naturally. On May 3, 2008, nearly one year to the day after losing their children, Lori gave birth to Ashley, Ellie, and Jake.
The couple has said that while the new children do not replace those they lost, their arrival brought light and purpose back into their lives.
“We feel like our kids in heaven had a hand in this,” Chris Coble said. “That they were helping to bring their siblings to us.”
The Coble family’s story has since been shared widely across national media platforms, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, and various news documentaries. Their journey has inspired millions around the world as a testament to resilience, healing, and the enduring power of hope.
Today, the Cobles continue to advocate for road safety and have remained active in efforts to support other families dealing with loss and trauma.