WASHINGTON CITY, Utah — A child died Friday evening after a crash involving three vehicles in southern Utah.
The Washington City Police Department said a Ford Expedition was traveling east on 200 South around 5:30 p.m. when the driver ran a stop sign at 100 East. The SUV crashed into a southbound Volkswagen Jetta, which spun into oncoming traffic and collided with a Ford Focus.
The driver of the Expedition fled the scene but was later apprehended. Police said they suspected that the driver was under the influence, and he admitted that he used his cell phone just before the accident.
The suspect was identified as 47-year-old Tracy Sandoval. He was booked on several charges, including vehicular homicide, negligently operating a vehicle resulting in death, and several counts of negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury.
A 7-year-old boy who was a passenger in the Jetta had CPR administered at the scene and was then taken to St. George Regional Medical Center, where he died from his injuries. Three others were taken to the hospital with various injuries.
Police said all the people in both cars appeared to have been wearing seatbelts — including the young victim — and the airbags in both cars were deployed.
"The Washington City Police Department send our heartfelt condolences to the victims in this horrific tragedy, especially those who lost a child," police said in a statement. "We also want to thank all those who assisted this incident, which includes Washington City Fire, St George City Police Department, Washington County Sheriffs Office, Gold Cross Ambulance, and the citizens on scene."
The 7-year-old victim was identified as Acestyn James Butterfus-Ramirez, or "Ace," according to a GoFundMe raising money for his family.
"Ace was a vivacious child that had a dimpled smile that could brighten the whole room," the fundraiser page read. "He possessed an innate curiosity that fueled his thirst for knowledge and adventure. Full of dreams and aspirations, he embraced life with wide-eyed wonder, touching the lives of all who knew him. Adventures with Ace were always fun and memorable."
