Cars hit, killed 3 children

Several high-profile automobile-homicide cases in 2003 brought to light the continuing problem of driving under the influence.

Neither the Deseret Morning News nor the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification count automobile homicides in year-end homicide statistics.

Three children were killed and three others critically injured in two separate accidents.

Jorge "Teto" Almeida-Robles, 9, and Yanira J. Robles, 4, were killed Sept. 18 after being hit by a car while playing in their own driveway near 1300 West and 6600 South. Christopher Robles, 6, was critically injured but survived.

Michael Joseph Whitton, 19, was charged with two counts of automobile homicide, driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident and other charges. In court documents Whitton was accused of driving under the influence of several drugs when he hit the children. The case is awaiting trial.

On Oct. 25 another family walking on a sidewalk near near 8000 West and 3700 South was hit by a car. Darius "Buddha" Joseph Smith, 6, was killed instantly.

His sister, Autumn, 9, suffered two broken legs and swelling to her brain. His brother, Desi, 11, suffered a broken leg, broken teeth and a concussion. Their father, Earl Lee Smith Jr., 42, also suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Tory Lee Jacques, 21, was charged with automobile homicide. He was accused in court documents of drinking five to six beers about three hours before the accident. That case is also awaiting trial.

On April 11, 59-year-old Lynne Denny of Orem was hit head-on by a man under the influence of methamphetamine. Bryce Gregory Collings, 29, who had been arrested previously for driving under the influence, was sentenced up to 15 years in prison.

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E-mail: preavy@desnews.com