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SPANISH FORK — Criminal charges have been filed against a Spanish Fork man who police say was under the influence of methamphetamine when he caused a crash that killed a 17-year-old boy.
Garrett Frank Harris, 44, is charged in 4th District Court with automobile homicide, a second-degree felony; possession of methamphetamine and two counts of DUI, class A misdemeanors; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor.
On Oct. 23, Harris was driving a pickup truck near 1900 W. Arrowhead Trail in Spanish Fork when he "drove over the center line and struck three oncoming vehicles," according to charging documents.
"The first truck attempted to avoid a collision and suffered a glancing blow across the driver side, injuring the driver and sending (Harris') vehicle directly into the oncoming lane and head-on into the second vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle was killed on impact," the charges state.
Landon Wilkerson, 17, of Pleasant Grove, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A third car was also hit and a third person suffered minor injuries, according to the charges.
"At the time of the accident, (Harris) had measurable amounts of methamphetamine in his body and two meth pipes in his possession," the charges state, and Harris "admitted to ingesting meth prior to the accident."
Harris was arrested at the scene.
According to court records, Harris has a lengthy criminal history including charges and convictions for forgery, fleeing from police and weapons-related crimes, and has been cited numerous times over the past year for failing to stay in his lane or driving on a revoked license.
Related:
Man arrested on investigation of DUI and homicide after teen dies in Spanish Fork crash
Garrett Harris, 44, was arrested and booked into Utah County Jail on investigation of automobile homicide, a third-degree felony and driving under the influence.On Sept. 30 he was twice cited for failing to stay in his lane in just one hour, according to court records. The first time was at 10:21 a.m. on I-215 and 5600 South. The second was on I-15 near Lindon at 11:01 a.m., court records state.
Wilkerson, who was a senior at Pleasant Grove High School, was headed to a diesel mechanics class in Spanish Fork when he was hit, according to a GoFundMe page* set up to help pay for funeral expenses.
"Landon was a peer tutor for me when I taught special education at Pleasant Grove High. Landon was always so kind, loving and friendly with my students with special needs. Such a polite and amazing kid. This is heartbreaking and I send love and thoughts to his family and friends!" a woman posted on Facebook.
On Monday, students at the high school "wore their best," wearing ties and dresses, to honor their classmate.
*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 advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
