Wife of University of Utah football player killed in car accident following Thursday's game

WEST VALLEY CITY — The wife of a University of Utah football player was killed in a car accident Thursday, about an hour after the game against Montana State.

Janelle Tongaonevai, 25, was killed when a Jeep heading west at about 10:30 p.m. hit her car in the intersection of 4800 West and 3100 South, according to police. The driver of the Jeep, 39-year-old Robert Davis, was also killed.

An unidentified female juvenile, who was a passenger in Tongaonevai's vehicle, was also seriously injured in the accident and was flown to a hospital and remains in serious condition. Two others in a third vehicle were injured and treated at the scene.

Tongaonevai married Ron Tongaonevai, a junior defensive lineman from West Valley City, last summer.

"This is a devastating loss for everyone involved in our program," said U. football coach Kyle Wittingham. "Our players and staff are grieving for Ron, and our top priority is to give him our support."

Davis apparently ran the red light at the intersection and hit the driver's side of Tongaonevai's vehicle, killing her immediately, according to a statement from West Valley City police Sgt. Mike Powell. Davis was thrown from his vehicle and it rolled on top of him.

Police are still working on a toxicology report for the driver of the Jeep; however, because Davis died, Powell said no criminal charges will be filed.

— Wendy Leonard

Twitter: wendyleonards