Charges due in accident

Salt Lake County's district attorney says she expects to make a decision by today on what charges to file against a teenage driver accused of hitting and killing three members of a Salt Lake family. Police believe the teen had been drinking prior to the accident.

Lohra Miller began screening the case against the 17-year-old Skyline High School senior Wednesday. Because of the massive amount of paperwork prosecutors have to read through concerning the case, she said a decision wouldn't come until today.

"We want to make sure we reviewed the law completely," Miller said.

One of the main questions to be answered is whether or not the teen will be charged as an adult.

The teen is accused of hitting another vehicle Friday night on 2000 East near 2500 South. The crash claimed the lives of 41-year-old Michelle Williams, who was about six months pregnant; her 11-year-old son, Ben; and 9-year-old daughter, Anna.

Their father, Christopher Williams, survived with minor injuries. His 6-year-old son, Sam, was taken to Primary Children's Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition earlier this week.

After the accident, the teenage driver ran away from the scene but was quickly tracked down by police and arrested.

Despite the tragedy, Christopher Williams has offered his "unconditional" forgiveness to the teen. He said, however, that did not relieve him of facing consequences for his actions.

Also Wednesday, Salt Lake City police asked for the public's help in gathering information about another vehicle that just escaped being hit before Williams was struck.

The teen's car swerved at a vehicle in front of Williams, forcing it off the road, according to Salt Lake City police. That car nearly hit a fence before the driver regained control of his vehicle.

Police would like to talk to that driver as a possible witness.

Anyone with information on that third vehicle is asked to call Salt Lake City police at 799-3000.

---

E-mail: preavy@desnews.com