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ST. GEORGE — A St. George man is facing two charges of automobile homicide after a husband and wife, both in their 80s, died from injuries allegedly sustained when they were struck by his car several months earlier.
Austin Betts, 24, was originally scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday, but it was rescheduled for Oct. 1.
Police say Betts ran over the couple on South 700 East, across from the Dixie State University Cox Performing Arts Center on Dec. 15, 2016, when he took his eyes off the road to look down at his phone.
Washington County Attorney’s Office in January filed two third-degree felony counts of automobile homicide involving the use of a handheld wireless communication device while driving.
Read more: Distracted driver ends phone call, hits 2 pedestrians
The couple, Marlene and Charles Wood, were transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center with serious injuries, according to the police report. Charles Wood, 81, died on May 27, 2017.
To read more from the St. George News, visit StGeorgeUtah.com.
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