Reader comments
Hit-run driver left teen like 'road kill'

Road Warrior For Real | 12:39 a.m. June 12, 2008

It's sad to know what the real inner nature of my neighbors is. Driving is the most dangerous thing I do every day. I try to drive as little as possible. The sense of responsibility to one's neighbor is going right down the toilet. I believe it's going to get a lot worse before it's get better.

Get better Ryan!

Cowards | 6:36 a.m. June 12, 2008

I had a woman, backing her SUV out of a K-mart parking lot in Spanish Fork, hit me and my daughter. I was hitting the back of her car. She too just looked in her rearview mirror and sped off.

They are cowards. Some drivers might as well point a gun at you with they way they drive. Utah used to be known for having such good drivers, what happened?

Janet | 7:02 a.m. June 12, 2008

Heaven bless and heal you Ryan.

Comments continue below

saddened | 7:15 a.m. June 12, 2008

Saddens me to think this could have been my child and could have been much worse. I pray someone will step forward. Don't give up your will to heal. Positive thinking will do wonders believe me. In the words of a get man who didn't give up = just keep swimming till ya get out of the deep end. Basically you can beat the odds by not giving up.

sob | 7:14 a.m. June 12, 2008

cell phones

Victim of Drunk Driver, 1999 | 7:54 a.m. June 12, 2008

The thoughts and prayers of the few remaining responsible and compassionate people in our society are with you, Ryan. Please believe me: the recovery you have ahead of you will be long and hard; but it will be worth it to keep fighting.

The Rock | 7:58 a.m. June 12, 2008

I was born in American Fork, raised in a small desert town in California. Went to BYU for 5 years and now live in Washington State. I love Utah, I consider it to by my home; however, I have never considered the drivers to be either good or polite.
I don't like driving 75 mph and I feel like I am going to get run over if I drive less than 80 on Utah's freeways.
A young man (Ammon Gladwell) was killed on I-15 in SLC while attempting to render aid to an accident victim. I knew him. He was in my home as a missionary. He baptized a Catholic Priest. He was a truly remarkable missionary. Only one other was even in the same class (grandson of a General Authority).
There has never been a time that I felt like the roads in Utah were safe or the drivers were polite.
Utah drivers killed my friend.
When will you people in Utah start to drive the speed limit, stop tail gating and allow people to change lanes?
I am sure that there are some good drivers in Utah; however, the rest give them a bad reputation.

SMH | 8:29 a.m. June 12, 2008

So sorry for what you are having to endure Ryan. Stay strong, and keep a positive attitude. I know it must be hard when justice is not being served to the perpetrator, but focus on yourself and the future you have ahead of you.
I too can't believe someone would drag a young man under their car, and then "shake him loose" with some swerving and speed off to make a get away. WHAT A COWARD. Surely they either have NO insurance, NO legal citizenship, or flat out NO conscience. They didn't want to take ownership for what they had done b/c they are too selfish to think beyond "I'll have to go to jail". I do hope they are caught. Their car carries damage on the rear left side. I believe what goes around comes around, and they will be caught.

Hang In There, Buddy! | 8:43 a.m. June 12, 2008

Hang in there Ryan! We're not all idiots out here in this crazy world!

To lose our faith in whatever is good and decent means that we'll become like "them"....

My prayers are with you.

Dan Maloy
Enid, OK

Barry | 8:56 a.m. June 12, 2008

Do you hear. . . what the Rock is saying!? I have close encounters every day, to and from work. I have even seen people do stupid things in front of buses, semis, and other large vehicles. Most of the time, the cellphone is a factor. What in the world requires us to talk on the phone, while driving in heavy traffic? I would even bet that 90% of car/cellphone users are just "shootin' breeze" with friends or family. Is it going to take the death of one of Gov. Huntsman's children to get a law to ban cellphone use in a car? Maybe some legislator's wife? What is it going to take LAWMAKERS? (this is a challenge to you)
I hope that they catch the idiot/s that ran Ryan down. I think that a good punishment would be to work in the county morgue for a month, assisting the coroners as they autopsied (sp?) accident victims. People need to slow down, and develop a good SA (situational awareness). Remember the slogan that was used many years ago? "Watch out for the other guy!"

Hollywood | 9:36 a.m. June 12, 2008

Agree w/Barry.

Cell phone law goes into effect July 1st in CA. Illegal to use a phone will driving unless it's hands-free. Still a distraction, but a great improvement.

Utah drivers are horrible. Yeah, LA has some ocassional road rage issues, but per capita, I'd bet the freeways are much safer here.

MoJules | 9:51 a.m. June 12, 2008

First of all, I am very sorry for what happened to Ryan, it is tragic and it is sad that there are people out there. Utah isn't the same as it use to be, it isn't this secluded Mormon community anymore, and there is an increase in crime, even in the small towns. But it could be worse, in the city of St. Louis there have been 75 murders so far this year, just in that city, it is a black on black crime. Throughout the state of Missouri, there are people who blatantly run red lights, not just a little, they will not even have gotten to the intersection when it is red. On Fox news network, they have shown the 79 year old man who was hit and left, no one came to help him for nearly two minutes, that man is parilized from the neck down and will be on a ventilator the rest of his life. There is one comfort in all this, God knows who these people are and they will one day have to pay for their crimes. But for Ryan, stay positive and feel blessed that computers exist in your time.

philly | 10:05 a.m. June 12, 2008

I think that the biggest issue that I have in Utah is that I expect more. I recognize that not everyone has the same values, but I still expect more.
We're glad you are still alive Ryan, keep healing.
To the person that did it, you will be held accountable at some point or another.

Rock is spot on! | 10:14 a.m. June 12, 2008

Grew up driving in Utah & don't remember that the drivers were so bad or aggressive--but that was when there were much fewer drivers. I drive in many states now, and Utah is one of the very worst. Tailgating is horrible--and if you try to drive the speed limit (or even 5-10 mph over) watch out!

Have to say though that I've been tailgated by marked police & Hwy Patrol cars as well...in the correct lane and at the speed limit.

The Rock is Right! | 12:00 p.m. June 12, 2008

I grew up in Utah but now live in Virginia, right outside Washington, DC. I hate coming back to visit my family because of the drivers there. I'd rather drive the beltway in rush hour for a week than drive from Salt Lake County to Utah County in light traffic for a week. God bless those trying to navigate the roads politely. I often felt it was nothing short of a miracle to get home in one piece. And God bless Ryan to heal and be whole again.

Awful | 12:43 p.m. June 12, 2008

I almost got smashed by a Ford burgundy and gold pickup today when he decided to enter my lane and not look. Miraculously, I somehow jumped ahead of him and nothing happened, but ALL drivers no matter where they live need to drive less aggressively and more defensively.

JoMamma | 1:05 p.m. June 12, 2008

About a month ago, I purchased a motorcycle to help with the increasing gas prices. In the 4 weeks, I have had more close calls than I can mention. Most have been cars pulling out or turning in front of me. My personal favorite was while I was going along, I noticed a cement truck bearing down on me. I felt like I could have reached around and touched his bumper because he was so close. I finally changed lanes (I was in the slow lane) so I could get off. A few stops later, the cememnt truck had to slam on his brakes to stop from hitting the car ahead of him. I am afraid that if I had still been there, there would have been a nice write up about me getting creamed by a cement truck. I have been driving for over 21 years. I don't remember when Utah had good drivers.

Sarkis | 1:42 p.m. June 12, 2008

Good luck man, I hope you get better soon, I'm glad you're still alive and you weren't put into another category of statistics.

I hope this dirt bag is caught and faces some harsh consequences, loses his/her license and spends some jail time.

bad drivers everywhere | 1:52 p.m. June 12, 2008

Here in AZ I hear the same thing about AZ drivers being terrible. I grew up in UT and I have traveled throughout the country and there is little difference between the states. There are bad drivers everywhere. Cell phone users, speeders, and those who do not use their blinkers are very annoying. However, in the U.S. we drive like angels compared to drivers in many other countries that treat red lights like yellows, fit five cars in four lanes, and pass using the shoulder and pass on curves.

washcomom | 1:52 p.m. June 12, 2008

After the bones and muscles have healed, be sure to keep healthy by exercising. My husband had an accident at the age of 16 that destroyed his right knee, but with continual exercise - he's been very healthy. He's now approaching 50, and is still going strong. AND - he still rides his street motorcycle with all the best protective gear available. Make yourself seen with bright clothes, take a motorcyle training course, and get back on the horse. You are your own best defense. Good Luck!!

Commuter | 6:58 p.m. June 12, 2008

There are bad drivers from all states, not just Utah. I'm not in anyway defending the cowardice of the driver mentioned in this article, he or she should be locked up for 20+ years at point of the mountain. However, this is not just a Utah problem. For too long, Americans in general have seen driving as a right, instead of a privilege.

Laws need to be enacted and strictly enforced that will severely punish those people who abuse the roadways and are a danger to other drivers. I understand that mistakes happen, but hit-and-run accidents, and repeat offenders really need to spend a significant time in prison, and have it affect their permanent record.

anony | 1:26 p.m. July 16, 2008

The hit and run driver that almost took my life in Utah in November 2006 has finally, and I mean FINALLY 20 months later, been charged with hit and run which is still a misdemeanor in Utah. I on the other hand have spent the time healing and am still in pain. The most he will get is up to a year in prison and a fine. Go figure.

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