Utah family pleads drivers to pay attention after son was fatally hit
Oct 31, 2022, 5:56 PM | Updated: Nov 1, 2022, 11:17 am
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — A South Jordan family has a plea for drivers to slow down and pay attention.
Dan Long and Clark Monk’s 9-year-old son was killed on July 6 by a distracted driver. This is their first Halloween without him.
“He loved to dress up, he loved to be scary, he loved the whole experience of it,” Clark told KSL TV.
“This Halloween, it’s going to be hard,” Long added.
Next week will mark four months since Long and Monk’s 9-year-old son Brayden was hit and killed while riding an e-bike along 11400 South near 2200 West with his best friend Anthony Sandoval.
Brayden parents, Dan Long and Clark Monk, speaking about their experience after the accident. (KSL TV)
For weeks, a makeshift memorial marked the area. But after the initial interest faded, it’s been a long quiet stretch in what was once a house full of noise and excitement.
The months have brought sadness and anger over a justice system they say doesn’t prosecute those who break the law.
The driver, Shantil Garn, 44, faces careless driving and negligent homicide charges in the case. Both are misdemeanors and carry a maximum sentence of up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Court records state that Garn admitted to handing her son her cell phone to send a text message just prior to the crash but couldn’t remember if she used “Face ID” to open it.
“It’s sad that the laws are not in place to protect the victims,” Monk said.
Both parents feel those charges are minimal, and while they know harsher penalties won’t bring their son back, they believe they would send a stronger message of accountability.
Utah hits record number of bicyclists dying after being hit by vehicles this year
As for tonight, the first Halloween without their son, their wish is people will slow down, stay off of cell phones and pay attention.
“I don’t know how many times people can say that. I don’t know how many times it can be put on television. People need to slow down. Obey the laws, watch what you’re doing.”
Brayden’s family says the Sandovals could still use a lot of help paying for long-term medical care and numerous surgeries. A GoFundMe* is set up for him.
*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 advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
