Charges filed against teen in fatal crash

A 17-year-old Skyline High School senior accused of killing four members of a Salt Lake family in a drunken driving crash, including an unborn child, was charged in 3rd District Juvenile Court late Thursday afternoon.

However, Salt Lake District Attorney Lohra Miller also filed a motion to have the teen, who turns 18 in May, certified to stand trial as an adult.

The teen was charged with four counts of automobile homicide, all second-degree felonies. Although named in the public documents, the Deseret Morning News is not identifying the teen because he is still being treated as a juvenile in the judicial system.

Chris Williams was driving home with his family on 2000 East near 2500 South the night of Feb. 9 when his car was struck by another vehicle. Killed in the accident were his 41-year-old wife, Michelle, who was six months pregnant; 11-year-old son Ben; and 9-year-old daughter Anna.

Williams saw a vehicle coming at him on the wrong side of the road and attempted to avoid a crash, but the other vehicle swerved into him, according to court documents.

After the accident, the teen ran from the scene, according to court documents. He was located by police five blocks away and arrested. Police attempted to administer field sobriety tests, but police say he told them he was "too drunk. He can't do any of these tests," according to court documents.

Toxicology tests showed he had a blood-alcohol level of .15, nearly twice the legal limit.

In addition to the homicide charges, he was charged with third-degree felony DUI resulting in a serious injury; misdemeanor DUI resulting in injury; leaving the scene of an accident, a misdemeanor; and a minor in possession of alcohol, a class B misdemeanor.

Sam Williams, Chris Williams' 6-year-old son, suffered multiple broken bones and an injury to his brain, according to court documents, but survived. He was recently moved out of the intensive care unit at Primary Children's Medical Center.

Through a family spokesman, Chris Williams declined comment Thursday on the charges. Earlier this week, Williams made his only appearance for the media and offered his unconditional forgiveness to the teen driver. However, he said there still needed to be consequences for his actions.

Miller also declined comment Thursday afternoon, saying she would publicly address the matter later today.