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PAYSON — An 8-year-old boy riding a skateboard was hit and killed by an impaired driver Sunday, police said.
Tabatha Magoon, 37, made a "wide" right turn about 2:35 p.m. at the intersection of 680 W. 1000 South, driving into the oncoming traffic lanes, and hit the young boy, said Payson Police Lt. Bill Wright.
The boy was identified Monday as Kaydon Sillitoe, of Payson. His family said he turned 8 on Saturday.
"This could have been avoided … by different choices," said Tracy Sullivan, Kaydon's grandmother. "If this woman would have made different choices that day, that morning — in her life — this baby would still be alive."
Although the SUV was not traveling very fast, Kaydon was pinned underneath and suffered severe head trauma, according to police. He was taken to Mountain View Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, Wright said.
Wright on Monday said he didn't know whether Kaydon was wearing a helmet.
A urine test conducted on Magoon showed the presence of meth, oxycodone and opiates, Wright said. A more thorough test from the Utah State Crime Lab was also being conducted.
Magoon was arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of operating a vehicle negligently and causing death, making an improper right turn, and driving with controlled substances in her system. Her bail was set at $10,000.
Magoon's criminal history in Utah is limited to minor traffic violations, court records show.
Sullivan gave a prepared statement to reporters Monday, thanking Payson police and calling on the Utah County Attorney's Office to see to it "that Kaydon's death does not become another plea bargain in the state’s books."
"I hope that other people that are out there driving behind the wheel and using drinks or drinking will understand that … you just don’t know what’s going to happen that one time," she said. "And that’s all it takes. (Magoon) is going to have to live with this for the rest of her life."
Sullivan said it is a "painful time" for Kaydon's family.
"There are no words to express the pain, heartache and even anger that we feel," she said.
Sullivan said two GoFundMe accounts have been set up on behalf of the family. One of the fundraisers describes Kaydon as a "bright, happy, silly, spunky little boy who was loved immensely."
"Words can never describe how loved he is and how missed he will be," according to the website.
The other fundraiser, set up by Kaydon's aunt, said "money is tight" for the boy's funeral arrangements.
"No one expects to (lose) their child," that account page says. "It is a heartache that never goes away."
Contributing: Sam Penrod
*KSL.com does not assure that the money 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.
