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DAVIS COUNTY — A couple and their five dogs were killed in an automobile accident Saturday morning at the the I-215 overpass at the I-15 interchange in Davis County.
Family members identified the couple as Garrett Barker, 22, and his fiancee, Kelsey Halterman, 21. They said Halterman was pregnant, and due to give birth Jan. 27.
Utah Highway Patrol troopers said Barker and Halterman were traveling on the I-215 overpass around 9 a.m. when they hit ice and began to slide along the guardrail. The vehicle flipped over the railing and landed in a crumpled heap near the train tracks below.
"The ramp was iced, and they were traveling at a speed that was too fast had the roads been in good condition, according to the witnesses we have," said UHP Trooper Ed Mchaud.
Barker was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Barker was a former employee of KSL, where he worked as a video editor for two years.
Halterman was taken to Lakeview Hospital, where her baby boy was delivered and taken to Primary Children's Medical Center, family members said.
The baby did not survive. Family members said Halterman had planned to name the little boy "Sage."
Three of the couple's dogs died at the scene. The other two had to be euthanized due to their injuries.
KSL reporter Alex Cabrero worked with Barker as he trained with the news team, eventually becoming a valuable editor. Cabrero said he was shocked to learn the quiet and humble young man he had worked with had been killed so tragically, with his fiancee at his side and a baby on the way.
"When Garrett first started here, he made a lot of mistakes, as we all do when we start on a new career, but he was one of those guys who cared to get it right," Cabrero said. "He ended up being one of our best editors on staff. I couldn't believe it was Garrett in this accident."
Barker's family has set up an account* in the couple's names at America First Credit Union to help with funeral expenses.
Contributing: Lisa Riley Roche and Sandra Yi
Email: fheaton@ksl.com
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*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.
