SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, March 16, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — A newly released search warrant affidavit suggests a 17-year-old distracted by her cellphone while driving last month may have caused a fatal crash in South Jordan.
At about 7 p.m. Feb. 19, the teenager was driving with four passengers in a Toyota 4Runner in a residential area near 3800 West and 9800 South when she drifted into oncoming traffic and hit a Ford Thunderbird, police said.
The affidavit, filed in 3rd District Court, said the 4Runner was three quarters of the way into the oncoming traffic lane and traveling at approximately 25 mph.
The warrant goes on to say the 4Runner’s left front fender entered through the driver’s side windshield of the victim’s car, just above the steering wheel.
The affidavit identifies the victim as Brent Williams, 56. South Jordan paramedics transported Williams to Jordan Valley Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Williams’ wife, as well as the teen driver of the 4Runner, and the four passengers in the teen’s vehicle were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.
The affidavit states the teen was asked at the scene why she crossed the double yellow line.
“She replied she was taking something out of her pocket but didn’t elaborate,” the document said. A cellphone was later found “on the floor behind the driver’s seat.”
The warrant goes on: “Your affiant believes (the teen) was distracted by her cellphone. She did travel across the double yellow line in the oncoming lane without correction.”
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story when charges are filed in the case.
