Man sentenced with up to 45 years in prison after deadly crash


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SALT LAKE CITY — Thomas Randall Ainsworth, who hit a vehicle and killed an 18-month-old boy on Christmas Eve, 2011, was sentenced Thursday to up to 45 years in prison.

The atmosphere in the courtroom Thursday was one of profound grief and loss.

Thomas Randall Ainsworth, 56, apologized to the family of a baby who died when his Suburban crashed head-on into the family's vehicle on Christmas Eve 2011.

"I wish I could trade places with him, but I can't," Ainsworth tearfully told the 3rd District Court while sitting in a wheelchair.

He accepted responsibility for the accident and said the incident left a "scar on my heart."

Ainsworth, who has an extensive criminal history, was ordered to serve three 1-to-15-year sentences in prison for three charges of operating a vehicle negligently causing injury or death, a second-degree felony. Judge Deno Himonas ordered the sentences to be served consecutively.

"I have considered the nature, circumstances and gravity of the offense," Judge Deno Himonas told Ainsworth, adding that few crimes are greater than taking a young life.

Ainsworth was reaching for his cellphone when he lost control of his car and caused the crash. He later tested positive for methamphetamine and THC.

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The PacksChristmas 2011 was going to be the Pack family's best so far.

"I don't remember ever being this excited for Christmas before," Kelly Pack told the judge before the sentencing.

Kelly and Ryan Pack had just left a family party on Christmas Eve and were excited to return home to begin their own traditions with their two sons, ages 18 months and 3 years. They had juggled bills to pay for presents for their boys.

Things took a turn for the worse as they drove back to their American Fork home.

On Dec. 24, 2011, near 9000 South and 700 West, Ainsworth was driving a Suburban that crossed the median and struck the Pack family's vehicle head-on, killing 18-month-old Colum and seriously injuring the boy's parents. Three-year-old Finn suffered minor injuries.

The Packs planned their baby's funeral while still hospitalized in critical condition.

"We have to live the rest of our lives with broken hearts," Kelly Pack said Thursday. "We have lived every parent's worst nightmare."

Both Kelly and Ryan Pack underwent several surgeries, and they both still suffer from injuries as a result of the accident.

Not only does the couple have continuing physical problems, but they have a heavy financial burden from the incident, because Ainsworth was not insured at the time of the accident.


We have to live the rest of our lives with broken hearts. We have lived every parent's worst nightmare.

–Kelly Pack


The Packs said they were relieved to have the criminal case behind them and will always try to keep Colum in their memories.

"We talk about him daily," Kelly said.

The Packs said they have committed to live as survivors instead of victims. This year they held a 5K race in memory of their son and donated the proceeds to a family in need. They plan to hold the race annually.

The Ainsworths

After the sentence was pronounced, Ainsworth's daughter Amy yelled, "I love you, dad," before running out of the courtroom.

"I feel for (the Pack) family," daughter Sierra Ainsworth, 28, said after the hearing with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Losing her would kill me," she said, referring to her 1-year-old daughter who she was holding in her arms.

The Packs lost a son, she said, and now she has lost her father. She takes her daughter to visit her grandfather once a month. He has never held her, she said, and now he never will.

Judy Rhees, Ainsworth's mother, said she never expected her son to receive a sentence of up to 45 years behind bars.

"I can't imagine losing a child, but this is going to be hell," she said.

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Whitney Evans

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