FARR WEST, Utah (KUTV) — A young man at the wheel of a car that hit a deer, and then was struck at full speed by a semi, is disputing a trucker’s account of the crash that killed three members of his family.
Damien Hanchor said his son David, 19, told him that after his car hit the animal, he pulled all the way off the road, and had his lights on, when the semi came from behind and slammed into his car.
David’s grandfather, Tira Hanchor, his grandmother Ekar, and his cousin, 17 year old Nacy Jeban who was identified by family members, was killed in the crash.
Their loved ones had flown into Salt Lake International late Tuesday or early Wednesday to attend David’s high school graduation—scheduled for Thursday night.
David Hanchor’s statements, as relayed by his dad, seem to differ dramatically from what the truck driver told UHP—that after the deer collision, David’s car was still on the road, either stopped or moving slowly in the right lane of I-15 in the Farr West area of Weber County, with no lights. The trucker said he did not see the car until the crash.
Damien Hanchor, who is originally from the Marshall Islands, spoke Marshallese during a 2News interview, which was interpreted by a family member.
It was clear he thinks police should do “a big investigation” into the crash.
David and his girlfriend, Rosa Kuabua, were in the front seat of the car. Both were critically hurt, rushed to hospitals, and are said to be recovering.
This was supposed to be a joyful event for everyone in the car. Damien had paid to fly in the family from Oklahoma to witness his eldest child’s graduation and spend time together.
He is heartened that his son is alive and improving, but he said the family is now “in a dark place, very sad.”