- Matthew Daines died Wednesday after he was hit by a truck while heroically pushing his wife away from the oncoming vehicle.
- The driver, Travis McIntyre, had a blood-alcohol level six times the legal limit, police said.
- McIntyre was arrested for investigation of multiple charges including automobile homicide and driving on a denied license.
SPRINGVILLE — A man is being called a "hero" for pushing his wife out of the way of a suspected impaired driver in Utah County on Wednesday evening.
But the husband was sadly struck by the oncoming vehicle and killed by a driver who police say had a blood-alcohol level that was six times the legal limit and did not have a valid driver's license.
"No words can adequately express our sense of loss at the sudden and unexpected death of our son Matthew Daines," Daines' family said in a statement released by the Springville Police Department Thursday afternoon.
"The event that took him from us and this Earth resulted from human error, but does not undermine the power and love of the Almighty, in whose wisdom we choose to trust," the statement continues. "In our profoundly deep sorrow, we encourage no sense of retribution to anyone. We ask that all persons and parties not directly involved in this tragic matter respect our need for privacy while we deal with loss and necessary arrangements, going forward."
The incident happened about 6:40 p.m. Wednesday in Springville, near 40 East and 400 South.
"A truck pulling a trailer left the roadway," according to a statement from Springville police. Daines and his wife were walking on the sidewalk when the husband "saw the truck driving toward the both of them and heroically pushed his wife out of the way, taking the entire impact of the truck."
In the original call to 911, Daines was reported as "still under the large black truck," according to a police booking affidavit.
"Officers arrived on scene and witnessed a Chevrolet Silverado ... stopped on the sidewalk with the patient lying under the front passenger panel of the vehicle," the affidavit states. The truck also had a large utility trailer attached.
Daines was taken to a local hospital, where he died due to his "vast" injuries, police said.
"His wife is safe and unharmed thanks to his heroic actions," according to police, who noted the wife suffered minor injuries.
Travis Patrick McIntyre, 41, of Tooele, was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of automobile homicide, two counts of having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle, negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury, reckless driving, DUI, driving on a denied license, causing a crash with property damage, and two traffic violations.
"Officers on scene immediately detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from McIntrye's person in an open-air environment, while standing outside of the truck. He also was observed to have red, glossy eyes. In plain view, officers observed alcoholic beverages opened and inside of the vehicle. McIntrye was also unable to stand on his own, needing assistance from officers to prevent him from falling to the ground," the affidavit alleges.
Police say McIntyre was unable to stand or perform sobriety tests. A Breathalyzer measured his blood-alcohol level at 0.307%, or more than six times the legal limit, the affidavit states. THC was also detected during a urine test. Investigators said they also learned McIntyre was driving on a denied license.
Several witnesses also came forward and told police that prior to the crash, McIntyre's truck was stopped at the intersection of 400 South and Main Street, and he "was looking down and appearing to not be aware of his surroundings."
When the traffic signal turned green, McIntyre "stayed stationary for some time before proceeding through the intersection and completing (his) turn," the arrest report says.
The truck swerved in and out of lanes as it made the turn, with one witness stating "it was clear the driver had not performed the maneuver intentionally," according to the affidavit. "Officers also received information that when McIntrye turned onto 400 South, he collided — side-swiped — with another vehicle traveling in an opposite lane of travel."
Landon Owens works at the Jimmy John's nearby and heard the crash occur outside.
He saw people crowding around the truck trying to help the man who was hit. Owens and a coworker brought out some extra rags and water to help stop the bleeding of the man and were told by a lady at the crash to make sure the driver didn't leave the scene.
"He was very empty. He didn't look like he was there, he looked somewhere else … he was very out of it," Owens said about the truck driver.
Dianne Singleton was in her car heading west at the time, waiting at the light at the intersection when she heard a big bang and a woman calling for help. Singleton saw lots of people head to the crash to help, but she was worried she'd be in the way, so she didn't get out of the car.
"It's just kind of devastating for something like that to happen in our community. I feel for that woman, knowing that her husband saved her, and he lost his life," she said.
She said it was incredible that the husband immediately thought to save his wife from danger. "I just reflected on that all night last night, and I just thought, 'You never know when your last day is going to be.'"
Contributing: Shelby Lofton
