Neighborhood reacting to tragic crash

A vigil is planned tonight at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Crystal Heights second ward, following a horrible crash that killed three members of a family.

Christopher Williams, 42, remains hospitalized along with his 6-year-old son, Sam. Salt Lake City police said both were listed in serious condition.

The Friday night crash killed Williams' wife, 41-year-old Michelle Williams, who was about five months pregnant; 11-year-old son Ben; and 9-year-old daughter Anna. The Williams' 14-year-old son, Michael, was not with the family at the time.

Authorities said the family was going under the I-80 overpass at 2000 East when a Jeep Cherokee hit their Volkswagen Jetta.

"The victim tried to swerve out of the way and it was T-boned," Salt Lake City Police Lt. Mike Tuttle said Saturday.

Police said the 17-year-old driver of the Jeep was captured several blocks away. Shortly after flipping his SUV, witnesses said the boy climbed out of the car and, in a daze, took off running. He was found by police officers near 2700 South and 1700 East. Police said they found alcohol in the Jeep.

Meanwhile, residents of the Sugar House neighborhood where Christopher Williams is the bishop are trying to cope with the horrible tragedy.

"They were beautiful people trying to follow the Savior," said family friend Justin Bell, who was the former stake president over Williams' ward.

At the scene of the crash near 2000 East and Stratford Avenue, people stopped to pay their respects. Amid the shattered glass, orange accident-scene paint and cat litter used to sop up the oil, someone placed a small pot of flowers. A card attached read "You will be missed."

At the top of the underpass is the LDS chapel where Christopher Williams is bishop. The ward is planning to fast and pray on Sunday for the family.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com