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AMERICAN FORK — Prosecutors say a West Jordan man was high on methamphetamine when he crossed over a median on Christmas Eve and crashed head-on into another car. That crash killed an American Fork toddler and seriously injured his parents.
The Pack family was shattered emotionally and physically by the Dec. 24 tragedy, but their friends and neighbors have also rallied with tremendous support.
The crash happened at the intersection of 1000 West and 9000 South, as the family was heading home from a holiday party.
"I saw headlights and that was it," Ryan Pack told KSL News Tuesday. "I could hear the kids cry. I couldn't move my legs, I thought I was paralyzed."
Ryan Pack tried to get his bearings as his wife screamed.
"It was as horrible as you can imagine. It was excruciating pain for me, and I was told I was just screaming for my baby," Kelly Pack said.
Eighteen-month-old Colum Pack passed away Christmas Day after doctors brought his injured parents and his older brother together in the hospital for a final few moments.
Tuesday, prosecutors charged Thomas Randall Ainsworth, 55, with three felony counts for driving with methamphetamine and traces of marijuana in his system causing death and bodily injury.
"When you have somebody who actually loses their life as the result of this, of course we take that seriously. And in this case, unfortunately, it was an infant child." Sim Gill
Police are serving a $200,000 arrest warrant.
"People in that situation have no business to be driving around a Suburban," Kelly Pack said.
The Packs are thankful 3-year-old Finn emerged with barely a scratch, while they recover from multiple broken bones and internal injuries, and toughen out in rehabilitation as a team.
"It definitely helps that we're doing all this at the same time," Ryan Pack said.
They have tremendous support from friends and family.
"We did lose our sweet, sweet child, but we survived," Kelly Pack said, fighting back tears.
And they're ready for the next chapter.
"I want to move forward and be happy, but we'll always have that hole in our heart," Kelly Pack said.
Each of those felonies caries a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison. Ainsworth also faces a misdemeanor charge of crossing over the median.
- Bake sale, craft sale and silent auctionDate/Time: Saturday, March 24, 9 a.m. to 12 noonLocation: 670 E. 800 North, Orem, UT; in the LDS church parking lot
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Benefit ConcertDate/Time:Saturday, March 31, 12 noon
Location:Amphitheater at 851 N. 700 East, American Fork, UT
