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Whit Johnson reportingThe Utah Highway Patrol is asking the public to help track down the driver in a hit-and-run accident that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old girl.
The accident happened late Saturday night near Layton Hills Mall.
"Please come forward and give us some closure," said the victim's mother, Stephanie Peaslee. It's a plea for justice.
"I just can't believe she's gone," Stephanie said. "It's going to be a long time. I don't think I'll ever feel better."
Her daughter, Chelsea Smith-Peaslee, lost her life in the southbound lanes of I-15. It happened Saturday just before 11 p.m. near the Hill Field Road exit in Layton. Chelsea was supposed to stay the night at her cousin's house.
"They were just two 15-year-old girls who had sneaked out of the house and were going to meet some friends," Stephanie said.
UHP says the two teenagers actually hopped a fence, then tried to cross traffic on I-15 to get to Layton Hills Mall. That's when Chelsea was hit and killed.
The driver never stopped.
Sgt. Shane Nordfelt of the Utah Highway Patrol said, "There's a slim, slim chance that this person may not realize the full extent of what has happened here."
Troopers are now looking for a late 1990s or early 2000s dark blue Ford passenger car.
"There's going to be significant damage all over to the front end of the vehicle," Sgt. Nordfelt said.
Chelsea's family says she was a loving sister and daughter. She was a soccer player, a student who earned high marks at Central Davis Jr. High.
"As her friend said, Chelsea would never do that because her mom would kill her. But her mom didn't have to kill her because somebody else did," Stephanie said.
This childhood mistake came with the ultimate punishment, and the driver who has yet to come forward is only adding to the tears.
If you would like to make a donation to help Chelsea's family with funeral costs, you can do so at any US Bank under the name Chelsea Smith-Peaslee.
A viewing for Chelsea will be held Wednesday at Lindquist Morturary in Layton from 6 to 8 p.m., and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m.
