Boy dies after being hit by car while trick-or-treating in Taylorsville
Nov 1, 2021, 12:04 PM | Updated: Nov 2, 2021, 12:53 am
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — A 13-year-old boy who was hit by a car while trick-or-treating has died, according to officials with the Taylorsville Police Department.
Police said Karl Finch was one of two boys who were struck while in the crosswalk at 2700 West and Matterhorn Drive (6375 South) Saturday evening.
Karl was airlifted to Primary Children’s Hospital in critical condition, where he passed away early Monday morning.
“There is just no other way to describe what type of a tragedy this is, not just for the school, but the family itself. Your heart just breaks,” said Ben Horsely, a spokesperson with the Granite School District.
“This is a tragic accident,” said Taylorsville Police Chief Brady Cottam. “We hope incidents like this never happen, especially on Halloween weekend when children are outside celebrating. At this time, we pray for comfort for the Finch family. All of us at the City of Taylorsville extend to them our deepest sympathy.”
#BREAKING: @TvilleUT Police say 13 yo Karl Finch has passed away. Karl & friend Spencer Wall were hit by a car while trick-or-treating Saturday. Police say speed was not a factor. Thoughts and prayers are with Karl’s family and friends 💔. @KSL5TV https://t.co/ZpowEKMHLr pic.twitter.com/dhxULV7bK9
— Garna Mejia KSL (@GarnaMejiaKSL) November 1, 2021
Police said the other boy, who was identified by family members as Spencer Wall, suffered critical injuries but has since stabilized and is expected to recover.
“He’s starting to respond to commands from the doctor; a lot of swelling on the brain,” Wall said of his 12-year-old son’s condition.
The speed limit on 2700 West is 40 mph, and police have determined that speed was not a factor in the crash. Officers added the driver involved in the crash is cooperating with police.
Karl and at least three other boys were crossing 2700 West when they were hit by a sedan. Two of them narrowly missed the impact, but Karl and Spencer were critically injured.
They were dressed up as Greasers for Halloween, but they had a flag while they crossed the road.
“They were on the east side of the road at the crosswalk and had a flag and started walking across the crosswalk and the car that was heading north stopped for them. There was a car that was heading south on 2700 West who they didn’t see because his lights weren’t on and I guess he didn’t see them,” Wall said.
Two boys in critical condition after being hit while trick-or-treating in Taylorsville
“First impressions — he was going fast and the headlights weren’t on,” said neighbor Darci Piz.
According to Piz, her neighbor’s Ring camera captured a portion of the crash.
“You can basically see in this video that there are cars coming northbound that stop before the crosswalk. You can tell the headlights that have stopped, and then there is a car that comes in southbound into the frame and it appears to be traveling very quickly,” she said.
One of the boys who was in the group, 12-year-old Kyle Nelson, told KSL’s Garna Mejia they started crossing after they saw a northbound car stop, but the boys did not see the southbound sedan before they entered the crosswalk.
GoFundMe* accounts have been set up for both boys:
*KSL-TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
