Crash claims 3 teens near Hobble Creek

SPRINGVILLE — The winding Hobble Creek Canyon Road is a popular place at night, beckoning drivers who want to maneuver the tree-lined street in the cool darkness.

The speed limit is 35 miles an hour — but many travel faster.

Police are saying excessive speed was the major factor in a collision Wednesday night at the mouth of Hobble Creek Canyon that claimed the lives of three teenagers.

Tasha Brammer, 18, Mapleton, and Brady Conger, 17, and Katelyn Gabbitas, 16, both of Springville, were killed when the sporty 2004 car in which they were riding collided with an eastbound SUV.

Police investigating the 10 p.m. crash believe the the sports car was coming around a bend on the wrong side of the road when the driver saw the other vehicle approaching.

The driver of the sports car swerved, causing the vehicle to slide sideways. It was then hit by the SUV. The impact spun the car around and the SUV smashed into the side of the black sports car.

"It combines the worst of two kinds of accidents," Springville Police Lt. Dave Caron said. There was the speed of a head-on collision and the blunt force of a broadside accident, he said.

Brammer and Gabbitas, who were in the back seat with Conger, were both thrown through the back windshield. Conger remained in the car. All three were killed instantly, according to officials.

Police said none were wearing seat belts.

The 16-year-old driver and his 17-year-old front-seat passenger were taken to the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center where they were treated for minor injuries, then released. Police declined to release their names.

The two men in the SUV, Marshall Romney, 46, Springville, and his 26-year-old son Miles Romney, were also taken to the hospital and then released.

The Romneys told news reporters they were glad to walk away from the crash — but now mourn for the teenagers' families.

Caron said it was difficult to visit the three teens' families with such tragic news.

"What they want to know is why," Caron said. "But life isn't fair. One mother said, 'A mom shouldn't have to bury her kids.' She's right. What do you say to that?"

The parents all told Caron the message they wanted to share was how much they loved their children — and how important it is to buckle up.

Conger's sisters told police their brother was kind and loving and had a great impact on their lives.

"He shouldn't have been taken," Conger's mother, Kathy, said. "I would trade my life right now if I could have him back."

Family members described Gabbitas as a loving young woman with a great sense of humor. She also loved animals, camping and riding four-wheelers.

"It's unanimous," said her aunt Carey Olsen. "Everyone will miss her. She's a good kid, sweet — just a life taken away too soon."

A friend of the Brammer family set up an account at Central Bank to help the family with funeral expenses.

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E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com