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AMERICAN FORK — A soon-to-be father has been in a coma and on life support for nearly a week after police said an intoxicated driver with a history of driving under the influence slammed into his car in American Fork.
Spencer Wilson recently landed his first job out of college. He texted his wife, Dixie, that he was headed to their home in Provo from Lehi.
After 45 minutes went by, Dixie called and texted him, but Spencer did not respond. That's when she checked his location using her phone.
The app pointed her to 500 E. 620 South in American Fork, but when Dixie arrived, Spencer Wilson was not there.
Instead, she found police officers and a mangled car that was her husband's.
Officers said Spencer Wilson was stopped at a stoplight when another driver, Jacob Clair Huff, slammed into the back of him, launching him and his car across the street.
Authorities said Huff was under the influence of methamphetamine and alcohol and was speeding.
"How fast, we truly don't know, but the devastation was immense," said Brandon Ray, Spencer's brother-in-law. "(Spencer) is not responding as we would hope. He is not moving."
Police said Huff left the scene, but a witness followed him, allowing police to take him into custody shortly after arriving.
Ray said, "this should have been prevented," but also noted, "we don't know if he was battling addiction. We don't know what was going on in his life."
"As of right now, the focus isn't on anger," he said. "It's all on everything positive — on a quick recovery, a miracle, a shed of hope that encircles Dixie and Spencer as they go through this trial."
Today he's in a coma and his family is hoping and praying for a miracle. We spoke to his brother-in-law. That's our story on #KSLTV at 6 pic.twitter.com/UhKhRlth0R
— Matt Rascon KSL (@MattRasconKSL) April 26, 2021
The trial was even more complicated, Ray said, because Dixie is a few weeks pregnant with their first baby — a baby the couple did not know would be possible because of Dixie's previous medical conditions.
"To have the compounding of this incident, mixed in with a new baby on the way — their first baby, which they didn't know whether or not they would be able to welcome into their lives — it's devastating. It's devastating," Ray said.
Ray thanked the loved ones, friends and strangers in the community who have rallied to support the Wilson's in their time of need. They don't know what the coming days and weeks will bring.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page* to assist them in paying for medical expenses.
"Our hopes and our prayers are going to him waking up, him opening his eyes, mouthing, moving, any sign that shows us that he's still there," Ray said.
For Ray, the experience was also proof that "anything can happen. You can be excited — excited to welcome your new little one, excited for a new career that you just landed, and all of it, in just an instant, can go up in smoke."
America Fork police said Huff has a history of driving under the influence. He has three prior DUI convictions and several drug charges on his record. Eight convictions total, four of which were felonies.
Huff faced more charges following the crash with Spencer Wilson.
*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.
