Woman frustrated by postponed sentencing for impaired driver


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PROVO — A Utah County woman involved in a head-on collision a year ago will have to wait a little longer to find out what will happen to the impaired driver who pleaded guilty in connection with the crash.

Lindsay Dyches and her daughter, Presley, were critically injured in a crash between Spanish Fork and Salem in March 2013.

The driver, Aaron Moorman, 35, pleaded guilty to several charges in February, including driving under the influence. Moorman's sentencing was scheduled for Tuesday, but it was postponed so the defense attorney could have more time to prepare.

Dyches said she has been preparing for months for the sentencing. She made an emotional plea to the judge Tuesday, saying she is desperate to put the incident behind her.

"The emotions and stuff that we have been through, it's just really tough," Dyches said.

The crash happened just after 8 a.m. March 21, 2013, on state Route 198 near 8500 South as Dyches was taking her daughter to school.

Moorman's van was traveling in the opposite direction when it crossed into oncoming traffic and hit the Nissan sedan Dyches was driving, the Utah Highway Patrol reported.

Presley, who was 7 at the time of the crash, was transported to the hospital by medical helicopter with extensive injuries. Her liver was lacerated and her spine cracked from the force of the collision, police said. Dyches was taken to an area hospital with a broken arm, ankle and three ribs.

“It wasn’t just a little car wreck,” Dyches said. “We have permanent damage.”

Moorman pleaded guilty to two counts of driving under the influence, a third-degree felony, and possession of a controlled substance, a second-degree felony on Feb. 25.

In the time since the accident, Moorman has been arrested five times, including just two weeks ago on drug charges, but he bailed out the next day.

He didn't show up to court last week, so he was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon on an outstanding warrant.

“It shows that he doesn't care, still to this day,” Dyches said.

Dyches said Moorman should be locked up long enough to keep the community safe.

“I mean, just as long as it is something that he is able to pay the consequence and get some rehab that he needs, so when he does get back out, he won't hurt anyone again,” she said.

Dyches said she's still deciding if she will attend Moorman's rescheduled sentencing on April 22. She says the only thing that will get her back in the courtroom is to finally see if he offers an apology.

Contributing: Viviane Vo-Duc

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