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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
SALT LAKE CITY — A Cache County man accused of killing a local pastor and his son in a high speed, multi-vehicle crash on Moab’s Main Street now faces four felony charges.
Benjamin Thomas Balls, 41, of Hyde Park, was charged Tuesday in 7th District Court with two counts of manslaughter, failing to stop at the command of officers and causing a death, and aggravated assault, all second-degree felonies; reckless driving, a class B misdemeanor; not having insurance and running a red light, class C misdemeanors.
On Feb. 9, police say Balls was traveling more than 100 mph when he entered Moab’s city limits off U.S. 191 about 8 p.m. and continued driving recklessly through Main Street — where the speed limit dropped to 30 mph — running at least one red light while still going 80 mph.
At the intersection of U.S. 191 and Main Street, Balls’ Chevy Silverado collided with a Chevy Tahoe. Vilsar Camey, 45, of Moab, was killed, a police affidavit states. His son, 10-year-old Israel Camey, was taken to a local hospital in life-threatening condition and died three days later.
Balls then crashed into a second car, a Chevy Envoy driven by a 30-year-old pregnant woman, who was also taken to the local hospital to be treated for injuries not considered to be life-threatening, according to police.
A GoFundMe page* was set up for the Camey family. Written in both Spanish and English, relatives of Vilsar Camey asked the public for prayers. Camey was the pastor of Iglesia Principe De Paz in Moab.
“We have had an irreparable tragedy in losing a brother and Spiritual Father,” the GoFundMe page states. “Rest in peace and enjoy the presence of God our Lord our beloved Pastor Vilsar !!!... Monica Camey and Samuel Camey are defeated by the loss of their husband/father, and critical condition of their son/brother. Let’s join with support and prayer! Amen.”
Inside Balls’ wrecked vehicle, police found a traffic citation that was issued about 7 a.m. that same morning in New Mexico for speeding, according to the affidavit.
At the time of the crash, Balls also had a warrant out for his arrest in Cache County for failing to appear in court on a charge of violating a protective order, court records indicate.
*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.
