A red light. Eight seconds. A family driving through a green light on a spring afternoon in Utah County. That is the timeline described in charging documents recently filed against a commercial truck driver in Saratoga Springs — a timeline that ended with a 13-year-old boy losing his life and other members of his family hospitalized.
At Weber Law LLP, we handle catastrophic crashes involving commercial vehicles across Utah, California, and Colorado. This article is not a news report. It is a plain-spoken legal breakdown for Utah families who may find themselves in the same nightmare: what happened, who could be held responsible under civil law, and what steps a family can take to protect its rights while the criminal case moves forward.
What Happened
According to reports and charging documents, on May 14 a 53-year-old man from Genola was driving a semi-tractor pulling two side-dump trailers eastbound on Pony Express Parkway in Saratoga Springs. As he approached the intersection at Mountain View Corridor, the traffic signal reportedly turned yellow and then red. Prosecutors allege the driver entered the intersection roughly eight seconds after the light had turned red, without braking. Dashcam footage and witness accounts allegedly show other vehicles around him slowing and stopping for the signal change.
A mother traveling northbound on Mountain View Corridor with her 13-year-old son in the front passenger seat and three younger children in the back reportedly proceeded through her green light. The semi allegedly struck the family’s minivan broadside. The 13-year-old boy was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The mother and a 10-year-old daughter were also transported for treatment.
The driver has been charged with manslaughter (a second-degree felony) and four counts of reckless endangerment (Class A misdemeanors). He has not been arrested; a summons was reportedly issued. As with any criminal case, the charges are allegations only, and the driver is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Our focus here is the civil side — the wrongful death and personal injury claims that a surviving family may pursue regardless of the outcome in criminal court.
Who May Be Liable
Commercial trucking crashes almost always involve more potential defendants than a typical car accident. Based on the facts reported, the following parties could be liable in a civil claim:
- The driver personally. If a jury finds he ran a red light and failed to brake, he may be liable for negligence and, potentially, gross negligence.
- The trucking company or employer. Under a doctrine called respondeat superior, an employer can be responsible for the negligent acts of an employee acting within the scope of employment. If the driver was hauling for a company at the time, that company may be liable for the driver’s alleged conduct — and may also face independent claims for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or retention.
- The owner of the tractor or trailers. If a separate entity owned the equipment, negligent maintenance or brake failure could bring that owner into the case.
- A maintenance contractor. If brake, signal-response, or vehicle-inspection failures contributed, a third-party maintenance provider could share fault.
- A cargo loader or broker. Overweight or improperly balanced dump-trailer loads can drastically extend stopping distance and could implicate additional companies.
Every one of these possibilities is fact-dependent. A thorough investigation is what turns “may be liable” into a viable claim.
Legal Theories That May Apply
- Negligence. The foundation of most crash cases: a driver owes a duty to obey traffic signals and operate a heavy vehicle safely; running a red light may be a breach of that duty.
- Negligence per se. In Utah, violating a safety statute (such as failing to stop at a red light) can be treated as automatic proof of the breach element of negligence.
- Wrongful death. Utah Code allows certain heirs — including parents of a minor — to bring a wrongful death claim for the loss of a child.
- Survival action. A separate claim may allow recovery for the pain, suffering, and losses the deceased experienced before death.
- Negligent hiring, training, and supervision. If the employer failed to properly vet or train the driver, or ignored red flags in his record, the company itself may face direct liability.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) violations. Commercial carriers must follow federal rules on hours-of-service, driver qualification, and vehicle inspection. Documented violations often support both negligence and punitive damages arguments.
- Punitive damages. Where conduct is shown to be knowing, reckless, or willful, Utah law permits punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages.
Damages Victims May Recover
Utah law allows a wide range of damages in serious injury and wrongful death cases. Depending on the facts, a family in this situation may be entitled to recover:
- Medical expenses, including emergency response, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and future care needs.
- Funeral and burial expenses for a deceased loved one.
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity for injured parents unable to return to work.
- Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress — including the trauma experienced by children who witnessed the crash.
- Loss of companionship, society, and guidance for surviving family members in a wrongful death claim.
- Property damage for the family vehicle.
- Punitive damages in cases involving alleged reckless disregard for human life.
Utah does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury and wrongful death cases (medical malpractice is treated differently). That matters — because in a case involving the loss of a child, the non-economic harm is often the largest and most human category of loss.
Evidence That Strengthens a Case
Commercial-truck cases live or die on evidence, and much of it disappears quickly if no one preserves it. In a matter like this one, key evidence may include:
- Dashcam footage from the truck itself and from surrounding vehicles.
- Traffic-signal timing data and intersection camera footage.
- The truck’s electronic control module (ECM) or “black box” data, showing speed, brake application, and throttle position in the seconds before impact.
- Electronic logging device (ELD) records revealing hours driven and rest breaks taken.
- Driver qualification files, drug and alcohol testing records, and prior violation history.
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance records, especially for brakes on a heavy combination vehicle.
- Load manifests and weight tickets for the dump trailers.
- Witness statements from other drivers who reportedly slowed for the light.
- Accident reconstruction expert reports.
- Medical records and autopsy findings.
Many of these records are in the exclusive control of the trucking company. A spoliation letter and, if necessary, a court order can lock them down before they are altered or lost.
What to Do Next
If you or a family member were in a crash involving a commercial truck in Utah, a few conservative steps can protect your case:
- Get medical care and follow through. Gaps in treatment are used against injured people.
- Preserve everything. Keep the vehicle, damaged car seats, clothing, and any personal electronics that may hold data or photos.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer. Adjusters call quickly, and early statements are often used to minimize claims.
- Document symptoms daily. A short written or voice log is invaluable months later.
- Mind the deadlines. Utah’s statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is generally four years, and wrongful death claims are generally two years — but exceptions apply, and evidence deadlines are far shorter. Do not wait.
- Talk to a lawyer before signing anything. Releases, medical authorizations, and “quick settlement” offers can permanently limit your rights.
If your family has been hurt by a commercial driver’s alleged negligence, the team at Weber Law LLP is here to listen — with no pressure and no fee unless we recover for you. You can reach us at 844-844-0503 or through https://law.ninja to speak with someone who handles these cases every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a trucking company if the driver was the one who ran the red light?
Yes, in most cases. Under Utah law, an employer is generally responsible for the negligent acts of an employee acting within the scope of employment. The company may also face direct claims for negligent hiring, training, or supervision if warning signs were ignored.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Utah?
Utah’s statute of limitations for wrongful death is generally two years from the date of death, while most personal injury claims allow four years. These deadlines have important exceptions, and waiting can cost you critical evidence, so speaking with a lawyer promptly is wise.
Does a criminal case against the driver affect my civil claim?
The two proceedings are separate. A criminal conviction can help a civil case, but you do not have to wait for or win a criminal case to pursue civil damages. Even an acquittal in criminal court does not bar a civil lawsuit, because the burden of proof is lower on the civil side.
What if my child survived the crash but has serious injuries?
A parent or guardian may bring a claim on behalf of an injured minor for medical bills, future care, pain and suffering, and long-term impact. Utah has special rules on settlements involving minors, which typically require court approval to protect the child’s interests.
Can the children who were in the back seat recover for emotional trauma?
Potentially, yes. Utah allows recovery for emotional distress in certain circumstances, particularly for family members who were in the zone of danger or witnessed the death or serious injury of a close relative. An attorney can evaluate how these rules may apply to each child.
What if I can’t afford a lawyer right now?
Most personal injury and wrongful death attorneys, including Weber Law LLP, work on a contingency-fee basis. That means there are no upfront legal fees — the attorney is paid only if there is a recovery, and the initial consultation is free.
Are punitive damages possible when a driver allegedly ignores a red light for eight seconds?
They may be. Utah permits punitive damages when a defendant’s conduct is shown by clear and convincing evidence to be knowing, reckless, or in willful disregard for the safety of others. Whether that standard is met depends on the full evidence, including dashcam footage and driving history.
What should I not say to the insurance adjuster?
Avoid giving recorded statements, guessing about injuries, or accepting fault in any way. Even innocent comments like “I’m doing okay” can be used to minimize your claim later. It is safest to refer the adjuster to your attorney.
Original reporting: abc4.com.