Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Sam Penrod reporting A family's grief over a loved one killed in a drunk driving accident is mixed with anger. The man accused of causing it is already out of jail.
"How can it be so easy to kill somebody, then not even spend two days in jail?"
The family is so upset it's calling for stricter drunk driving laws in Utah.
It was early Saturday morning when Larry Beach was killed in a head on collision, as he was driving to work.
It's a tragedy his family says never should have happened and one they don't want to happen again.
Family members of Larry Beach hold onto his watch. The broken hands mark the time of his death, when he was killed in a severe head on accident near Eagle Mountain.
James Crompton/ Victim's Stepson: "What if Larry went to work a little later? What if he did this last night and got up a little late?"
It's those "what if's" his family is talking about--but the "what if" they can't stop thinking about is the other driver who police say was driving drunk.
Beach's family says they've learned how far reaching the effects can be of drunk driving.
Less than nine months ago, Larry Beach appeared on KSL, during the Primary Children's Telethon, thanking the hospital for caring for his young son who suffers from asthma.
Larry Beach/ June 2003: "Thanks to Primary Children's Hospital for all the wonderful care they have given to Dylan."
While the shock and sadness of losing a family member without any warning is hard enough, there's frustration with the legal system that allows drunk drivers to escape with less serious consequences compared to other crimes involving death.
Trenton Jones, 23, faces charges of DUI and automobile homicide. Earlier today Jones posted bail and was released from jail.
James Crompton: "How can it be so easy to kill somebody and only spend two days in jail, when the kids are going to spend a lifetime without their dad? It's just not fair."
Larry Beach is survived by his wife and nine children.
After his funeral, his family plans to lobby lawmakers to make changes to Utah's DUI laws to prevent another family from suffering a similar tragedy.
