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SALT LAKE CITY -- Three survivors of a deadly car crash that killed six people remained in the hospital Sunday. Investigators are waiting to speak to one of them, to figure out what happened early Saturday morning on State Road 201.
That survivor, Jared Perry, is at University Hospital. July 19th is an important day in his life, one the family never dreamed he'd spend in the hospital. It's his 34th birthday.
The Perry family had planned on spending the day celebrating with Jared by eating birthday cake and opening presents. Instead, they are waiting at his hospital bedside.
"He's a good man, loving father and a lot of fun," said Jared's father, Dwayne Perry. "He's having internal bleeding, wondering if he's going to have his spleen taken out."
Jared is expected to survive the crash he was in early Saturday morning. He was driving home after helping his sister move, going west on SR-201 at the intersection of SR-202.
"He said one car pulled in front of him, another was behind him. He tried to swerve to miss the first one and hit the second one," Perry said.
Jared's car T-boned a Dodge filled with seven family members and one friend. The only survivor was a four year old boy.
"We're thinking of them. They are in our prayers," said Perry.
Perry has another little boy he's thinking of too. His 9-year-old grandson Dwayne was in the car with his father at the time of the crash. "He's grandpa's little buddy, my little fishing buddy," Perry said.
The boy underwent surgery to have his back fused. "Yesterday he had abdominal surgery. They took out a section of his colon and intestine," Perry said.
Both Dwayne and Jared are expected to survive, though it will be a long road to recovery. When Jared gets feeling better, investigators hope to be able to get more questions about the crash answered.
Sgt. Jeff Nigbur of the Utah Highway Patrol said, "He's one of the only remaining ones we can talk to."
The only survivor from the other car, 4-year-old Ricardo Ramirez, is currently at Primary Children's Medical Center.
He comes from a very large family, and has a lot of support. According to Sgt. Nigbur, the state Department of Children and Family Services is helping determine which family member will get legal custody of him.
E-mail: abutterfield@ksl.com
