UPDATE: Teen Driver Who Caused Fatal Fillmore Crash Dies
FILLMORE, UTAH – July 9, 2015 – (Gephardt Daily) – Utah Highway Patrol has confirmed the teen driver who caused the fatal accident that killed two people, has succumbed to her injuries.
Jessie N. Wilkerson, 18, of St. George was driving a Jeep Cherokee that had been reported as driving recklessly in Kanosh. Moments later calls came in saying the driver was heading north into southbound traffic on Interstate 15. The Highway Patrol and Millard County sheriff deputies were responding to those reports when the Jeep struck a Honda passenger car head-on.
The driver of the Honda, Larry J. Martin, 25, of West Jordan, was ejected and killed on impact. Kaela Hernandez, 27, of American Fork was sleeping in the rear passenger seat, was also ejected and killed.
A third occupant of the Honda, Joseph C. Martin, 29, of Eagle Mountain, was in the front passenger seat. He was transported to Fillmore Community Medical Center with life threatening injuries. He has since undergone surgery and is still listed in critical condition.
Wilkerson was pinned in her vehicle. After being extricated she was transported to Fillmore Community Medical Center then later flown to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in extremely critical condition but died of her injuries Thursday.
The three in the Honda were headed to Las Vegas for a work conference and posted a photo on Facebook prior to the crash.
Troopers have said they found a bottle of alcohol in the Jeep and had suspected impairment early on.
This is just so awful. I was one of Jessies best friends. And I would just like to say that I am so sorry from the deepest pit of my heart, that this happened.
All 3 people were amazing kind hearted human beings and I am glad to say that heaven has 3 new angels.