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WEST JORDAN — The family of a 73-year-old man killed in a three-vehicle crash Tuesday released a statement about him Wednesday afternoon.
“As I’m sure you can imagine, our family’s struggling during this time of grief,” Jay Horner, the son of the deceased, Bill Horner, said. “What started out as a normal Tuesday morning ended in tragedy.”
Jay Horner called his father “an example to his family and friends.”
“He spent most of his life teaching those around him how to serve and life as the Savior would have us do,” Jay Horner said.
Bill and his wife, Marge, were married for nearly 45 years. As devout members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bill “served fellow members and neighbors for decades,” Jay Horner said.
The family is devastated by the sudden loss of their father, husband and grandfather, but they are comforted to know they will be reunited with him again, Jay Horner said.
“His grandchildren were particularly special to him and the moments they no longer get to share with grandpa form a void that is impossible to fill,” Jay Horner said.
Bill Horner was killed while he was taking his teenage granddaughter to school.
His granddaughter Kylie sustained injures but is expected to make a fully recovery, Jay Horner said.
“While her prognosis is positive and we expect she will fully recover, her life has been altered,” Jay Horner said.
Andrew Horner described Kylie as a “sweet, loving girl.”
“One of the things that is hard to understand, really, is how close the grandchildren are and were to their grandfather,” Andrew Horner said. “They were his life, and that’s one of the hardest things that I think all of us have to deal with.”
An allegedly impaired pick-up truck driver hit Bill Horner and his granddaughter on Redwood Road. Horner’s car traveled “several hundred feet” before going through a fence and into a dry canal.
Cole Douglas Munoz, 32, was treated for his injuries and booked into Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of automobile homicide, driving under the influence causing serious injury, driving with a revoked or suspended license, a weapons violation and other traffic violations, according to police.
Jay Horner said the family would like to see Munoz “take responsibility for (his) actions … (and) get the help he needs."
Andrew Horner said he is confident justice will be served in the case pending against Munoz.
"We hold law enforcement in high regard and … (believe) they’ll make the proper decisions in the investigation,” he told KSL News.
A GoFundMe* account was created to help with the Horner family funeral and medical expenses.
Contributing: Ben Lockhart
*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
