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WEST VALLEY CITY — Like many people this time of year, Tonya Monard has her Christmas tree set up. It's always set up, every single day, because it reminds her of her son.
"He's very well remembered — everywhere,” Monard said Saturday.
All throughout her West Valley City home, and especially in a downstairs room, are pictures of her son, Garrett Barker.
There are pictures of him and his dogs, him and his fianceé, Kelsey Halterman, and you can’t miss the picture of him as a 1-week-old baby.
"His hair would not lay down no matter what I did to it. It was like a little munchkin doll,” Monard recalled with a laugh.
She wonders if her grandson would've had the same hair. Unfortunately, she'll never know.
Barker, Halterman and their unborn baby all died in January 2013 after their truck slid on ice on I-215, just north of Salt Lake City, and fell from an overpass. Doctors delivered the baby boy, Sage, but he only lived for about an hour.
Investigators have never been able to determine Barker and Halterman were wearing seat belts, but Monard doesn't think they were.
"It hasn't been confirmed, but I don't think he was,” she said. “I don't know if it would have made a difference that day, as bad as the wreck was."
Now, at the very spot where they died, an official black and white sign reminds motorists to drive safely and buckle up.
Just under that sign, in blue, is another one place there in memory of Garrett, Kelsey and Sage, which was going to be the name of their baby boy.
Monard worked hard to get that sign up. While she knows there is nothing she can do to bring her son and his family back, she’s hoping the sign will be a reminder to other drivers.
"It was nice to know that it's a warning, before drivers hit that icy ramp, to slow down and make sure they're buckled,” Monard said.
“I don't wish this tragedy on anybody. My hope is that somebody sees it and is safer and remembers them.”
Contributing: Ray Boone
