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Susan Wood ReportingPolice and prosecutors are meeting this afternoon to consider formal criminal charges against a man who ran into three children as they played in their front yard.
Officers say the charges filed will depend on toxicology tests to determine if the driver was under the influence of drugs and or alcohol at the time of the deaths. Two children died, and a third is still in the hospital.
The decision is whether to charge 19-year old Michael Whitton with two counts of voluntary or involuntary manslaughter. And that will likely depend on whether he was influenced by drugs or alcohol when his car struck the kids as they played in front of their home.
There's no explanation yet why Whitton swerved off the road, but it happened during rush hour, and the street is in an area that many motorists use as a diversion because of construction surrounding the area.
Drivers may exit I-215 as they see construction on the bridge crossing 1300 west. As they get off the ramp, there is more construction on Redwood Road. If a driver got fed up with traffic, he might take a detour on 1300 west. During rush hour, traffic there can be bumper to bumper.
Tom Hudachko, UDOT Spokesman: “You've got to anticipate that along the roads at some times you're not going to get where you want to go as fast as you want to go. Just be patient. Exercise caution. Be safe when you're out there on the road."
UDOT says it’s hard to say whether construction or bad traffic played a role in the tragedy last week, but their hearts go out to the family. The outpouring of sympathy continues for the family. Another candlelight vigil is planned this evening in the neighborhood.
