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Family speaks after man killed, granddaughter injured by alleged DUI driver

Posted at 8:23 PM, Mar 18, 2015
and last updated 2015-03-19 14:28:44-04

WEST JORDAN, Utah - A West Jordan family is remembering their beloved father and grandfather, 73-year-old Bill Horner, who was killed Tuesday after his car was broadsided by a truck near 8200 South Redwood Road.

He was taking his granddaughter to school when the accident happened.

The crash also took a family member of the West Valley City Police family.

Jay Horner spoke to FOX 13 News after the crash that killed his father and left another loved one in critical condition.

"What started out as a normal Tuesday morning ended in tragedy," he said.

Police say 32-year-old Cole Munoz was driving the white Ford truck that ran a red light and slammed into Horner's Nissan Altima Tuesday, and they said Munoz was under the influence.

Jay Horner read a statement on behalf of the family, saying in part:

"While we cannot understand what would lead a person to make the choices that Mr. Munoz made, our hearts go out to this family at this time. We hope Mr. Munoz will take responsibility for his actions, that justice will be served, and he will be able to get the help he needs."

Family members said Bill was married to his wife for nearly 45 years and was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They said he spent his life serving others and will be remembered as a loving man.

"He made sure that his wife was taken care of, and he made sure that he taught us hard work, sacrifice, and taught us everything that we needed to be successful in our lives," Jay Horner said.

Andrew Horner, another of Bill's sons, said the bond his father had with his seven grandchildren was indescribable.

"One of the things that's hard to understand is how close the grandchildren are and were to their grandfather," he said.

Taking Kylie to school at West Jordan High School was a regular routine for the two. Family members are protecting Kylie's privacy, but told FOX 13 News she suffered extensive injuries including some brain bleeding, fractures to her face, broken ribs and a bruised lung. She remains in the intensive care unit and is expected to survive.

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral and medical expenses.

Police say Munoz was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on numerous charges, including felony DUI. Officers found a firearm and drug paraphernalia in his truck.