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LEHI — A family trip to Arches and Canyonlands national parks ended tragically Tuesday night when a woman and her 16-year-old son were killed in a four-car crash near Point of the Mountain.
"We didn't even see it coming, and all of a sudden chaos broke out," said Brian Colbree.
Colbree's 16-year-old son, Keegan, who was in the back seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. DeeAnn Colbree, 53, Brian's wife, was transported to Intermountain Medical Center where her husband later made the difficult decision to take her off life support. A family dog also died at the scene.
"What am I going to do from here? I have no idea," Colbree said Wednesday from his home in Layton, still in shock over the events of the past 24 hours.
About 11:50 p.m. Tuesday a van, pickup, and semitrailer were all stopped on northbound I-15 near Lehi because of road construction. A Honda Accord going faster than the posted 55 mph speed limit in the construction zone slammed into the back of the Colbree family van without swerving or braking, according to the Utah Highway Patrol. The van was pushed into the pickup. The Accord continued forward and also hit the rear of the semitrailer.
The driver of the Honda, Dale Orton, 59, of Sandy, who was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered major head injuries and was flown by medical helicopter to a hospital in Utah County where he was later pronounced dead, said UHP Sgt. Todd Royce. Troopers were still investigating Wednesday why Orton didn't stop. Royce said there was no evidence of drugs or alcohol.
Brian Colbree suffered a broken foot and a broken nose. But he said the physical pain didn't match the heartbreak he has suffered.
"Sure going to miss them, sure going to miss them," he said.
Colbree's 13-year-old daughter also suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.
"She knows what happened, but I don't think it's sunk in yet," he said.
A second family dog survived the crash.
"Lost three of my best friends in the world. Got two left," a despondent Colbree said while also expressing how grateful he was that his daughter survived.
A nephew and a friend who were also in the van suffered minor injuries.The drivers of the semitrailer and pickup were not injured.
Brian Colbree said his son loved the outdoors and fishing and mountain biking in particular.
Neighbors placed paper hearts in the Colbrees' yard on Wednesday to show their support.
The freeway was shut down or partially closed for 3 hours as emergency crews and accident investigators attended to the crash.
Contributing: Shara Park, Linda Williams
