Reader comments
Teen killed in West Valley auto-ped accident

That's ridiculous! IF the cars are stopped they're stopped for a reason. Usually for a situation like that. If you're in a hurry and are running late guess what your fault no one elses! If you can't be patient sorry, deal with it. If people were more paitient and DID NOT drive in the shoulder this wouldn't happen ever.

Kill someone in a hit and run and they are wondering if they will charge him? WTH?

Of course he should be charged! I'm shocked that anyone is even considering the thought that he shouldn't be? He needs to learn a lesson for taking the life of that 14 year old boy. Shame on our society.

Stories like this infuriate me! This is the same circumstance that my Dad was killed in on the U of U campus 11 years ago (except he was on a crosswalk). All traffic had stopped except one driver who went around the other cars and sped through the intersection hitting and killing my Dad. Now, these teens shouldn't have been in the road BUT that is no excuse and the blame should never be placed on the pedestrian. I actually drove past this scene yesterday on my way home from work (after the victim had been taken to the hospital but the SUV and police were still there) and made note to myself that this was the exact location that a few weeks ago there was a "trap" set up by law enforcement for people who were driving up the shoulder to turn right instead of waiting until they were closer to the intersection were being ticketed. There is a reason that our roadways are designed the way they are. There is a reason we have stop lights, stop signs, pedestrian crosswalks, etc. Please, these unnecessary deaths need to stop! Be more aware of your surroundings & slow down!

I agree. That 18 yr old driver should be charged! Not only did he not stop, he tried to go around on the shoulder - what was his hurry? Teenage drivers need to learn to pay attention and not be in such a hurry.

People just need to look at there surroundings and remeber that there are other people in this world!!! I drive about 25 miles to work everyday. It is amazing how many drivers are talking on there cell phone or texting. People need to responsible for everything and all around them. Accidents like this are tragic and SHOULD NEVER happen. The 18 year old was probably in a hurry texting or talking and didn't think that rules of the road applied him/her. Be careful people!!

I am a resident of Wendover I just want people to know that the boys mom was in the hospital because she was exspecting and now no longer is thanks to this tragedy in her life. The world is just getting so bad makes me not want to let my kids out of my site. To Sergio's Family I am so sorry for both your losses. May you be blessed.

The blame should NEVER be placed on the pedestrian, Jamie?! In this case, maybe that is correct. But all you have to do is be downtown for a day and observe how stupid pedestrians can be. They take no responsibility for their own safety.

Very few pedestrians use the orange flags at crosswalks to make themselves as visible as possible to drivers. First stupid mistake.

Many pedestrians jaywalk. Second stupid mistake.

Most pedestrians don't even hestitate at the curb of a crosswalk or at an intersection before darting right out into traffic. They don't even look right and left. Third stupid mistake.

All of those stupid mistakes can turn into deadly mistakes that YOU the PEDESTRIAN could have avoided had YOU taken a few seconds to remember what you learned in kindergarten. STOP, LOOK BOTH WAYS, USE A CROSSWALK.

Wouldn't you take as many precations as possible to protect yourself? Who cares if you look like a dork waving your orange flag as you cross on a crosswalk. At least everyone sees you.

I'm Jamie from comments above. It's unlikely the driver will be charged with manslaughter or negligent homicide. Unless something big has changed in Utah law since 1996 this driver will get away with nothing but a slap on the wrist. The driver who killed my Dad had stolen, illegal drugs in her possession and trace amounts of illegal drugs in her system and yet got only a $500 fine and a little probation. She was not charged with any criminal charges and has nothing on her record to indicate her negligence killed a man. She's gone on to live her life as if nothing happened. As for Sergio's mom, I don't know if her newborn child is alive, I sure hope so, but I send them all my love and prayers through this tragic and terrible time. There is a lot of unfairness in this world that I simply do not understand. God bless.

You don't need to CAPITALIZE and yell at me (Jamie). I work downtown every day, thank you, and I see pedestrians who jaywalk and cross without paying attention. Yes, they are being stupid, I agree with you. I personally always cross on a crosswalk (it was the way I was raised and if you notice my Dad WAS on a crosswalk when killed). That said, drivers are maneuvering vehicles that weigh a ton and quite often are not paying attention. Everyone is responsible for their own personal safety and any person who thinks that they are a pedestrian and therefore should be able to cross any where they want at any time they want are just plain stupid. It goes both ways; pedestrians need to look out and drivers need to look out but in the end, don't blame the pedestrian.

Is 841 trying to say people from Wendover are retarded or something? What does it matter if his name does sound Hispanic.I have been down to Mexico for vacation and guess what...there are cross walks in Mexico! Not just in Mexico are there cross walks but all over the world. I'm pretty sure he knew how to use a cross walk and spoke English. Just because he has a Hispanic name does not mean he does not speak English. There are many Hispanics who speak PERFECT English and have even gone to college. Whether the name was White, African American, whatever don't say its because of their name.

I think accidents like this schould never happen drivers have to be aware and alert at all times. The 18yr driver schould be charged his an adult and he schould be treated like an adult.