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SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake man who prosecutors say was driving under the influence of drugs when he was involved in a crash, severely injuring his young granddaughter who was not in a car seat, was charged Tuesday with child abuse.
William James Uckerman, 57, is charged in 3rd District Court with child abuse, a third-degree felony; two counts of DUI, a class A misdemeanor; not having insurance and driving on a suspended license, class C misdemeanors. He was also charged with two infractions, failing to wear a seat belt and a red light violation.
On Nov. 25, Uckerman ran a red light at 3200 West and 2100 South and his minivan collided head-on with a semitrailer, according to court records. Uckerman's 4-year-old granddaughter, who was not in a child seat and not wearing a seat belt, "was thrown through the windshield" and suffered a broken leg and "traumatic brain injury," according to charging documents. Another adult woman in the vehicle suffered "multiple rib fractures and a concussion."
Uckerman told an investigator that he had snorted methamphetamine earlier in the day, according to police. Toxicology tests showed meth and amphetamine in Uckerman's blood, the charges state.
