34-Year-Old Father One of Two People Killed in Overnight Auto-Pedestrian Crashes in Layton
Dec 19, 2018, 6:47 PM | Updated: Dec 20, 2018, 6:49 am
LAYTON, Utah – Family members say Marcus McGaha, 34, was killed Tuesday night while crossing the street in an area near his home where he’d crossed hundreds of times before.
The incident happened at 1650 N. Hillfield Road in Layton.0
McGaha’s grandmother, Loutishia Conway, who helped raise him, said she had been out Christmas shopping with him just hours before the accident.
“He was happy that he had enough money this Christmas to buy Christmas for everybody,” Conway said. “And that was his greatest joy this Christmas.”
“It was very devastating, because the whole day had been so happy,” she added. “Maybe two hours before he was hit, I talked to him twice. And he was on his way home.”
Layton Police say McGaha was one of two men killed in separate auto-pedestrian crashes overnight.
The second crash happened around 10:30 p.m. at around 450 N. Main street. Officers say there was no indication that either driver had done anything wrong.
Patrol Lieutenant Brady Fitzpatrick said if no crosswalk is available, pedestrians should take extra care when crossing at night.
“Never cross the street unless you’re 100 percent sure that it’s clear the entire way across,” Fitzpatrick said. “If you are going to do a lot of walking at night (we) recommend bright clothing, with reflective vests, all those type of things. You could even carry a flashlight with you.”
McGaha’s cousin, Vicki Perry, said he was always known to be happy and positive.
“Marcus’s aura, and his kindness, and just his kind spirit is what all his friends and family will remember,” Perry said. “Just please keep those prayers coming, because it’s going to be a long and rough road for us.”
While McGaha was taken suddenly, Conway said she did have one last moment with him.
“He gave me a long, big hug yesterday,” Conway recalled. “And he said, ‘I love you, grandma.’ I said, ‘I love you too, Marcus.’ And that was our parting words.”
McGaha leaves behind a 9-year-old daughter, and 4 year-old son.
The McGaha family has a GoFundMe page set up for funeral expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/marcus-mcgaha-funeral-fund
