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A motorcyclist died in a traffic accident this morning in Utah County. The victim was a father of three young children and the son of the Primary General President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
David Lant was riding his motorcycle just a few blocks from his home to work. He had the green light, but when he entered the intersection at 800 North and 1200 West, he was struck by a semi truck.
Bob Cluff, Lant's employer, was driving to work this morning when he came upon the accident. He said, "I just happened to be driving through that area, and as I passed through noticed that it involved a motorcycle which I thought I may have recognized, and so I quickly pulled over and tried to inquire and look and see."
He then got the devastating news that the victim was 34-year-old Lant, who worked as the production manager at Cluff's printing company. "He was probably the most dedicated guy that I knew with his job, with the underlying pretense that he was supporting his family. He loved his girls greatly. He has three young girls, and of course he loved his wife and his family. Very easy going and a simple guy, one you would love to be around," Cluff said.
Orem police say there is no question that Lant was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The semi truck, driven by a 25-year-old man from Lindon, went through a red light just as Lant entered the intersection on his Harley-Davidson.
Lt. Doug Edwards, with the Orem Department of Public Safety, said, "We do have witnesses that indicated the light was green for southbound traffic."
It's an accident that Lant's family understands is heartbreaking for more than just his family. Cluff said, "The family would like to extend their concern and love for all involved because there is more than one victim. The unfortunate circumstances, the young man who was also involved in that, I think he is certainly feeling that and his family too."
Police are still investigating to determine what charges may be filed against the driver of the semi truck. The funeral for David Lant is planned for Saturday morning.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
