LOCAL NEWS

Father ‘infuriated’ by DA office’s decision in deadly crosswalk auto-pedestrian collision

May 11, 2022, 9:25 AM | Updated: Jun 22, 2022, 2:24 pm

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — A father said Tuesday it was “infuriating” to learn of the Salt Lake County District Attorney Office’s decision to not pursue felony or serious misdemeanor charges against a driver in an auto-pedestrian crash that left one boy dead and another with lasting injuries.

On October 30, 2021, 13-year-old Karl Finch and his friend, then-12-year-old Spencer Wall, were crossing 2700 West in a crosswalk at Matterhorn Drive (6380 South) when they were hit.

Boy dies after being hit by car while trick-or-treating in Taylorsville

Taylorsville police passed their case to prosecutors at the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, but the office declined to pursue felony or serious charges against the 29-year-old driver.

Instead, Taylorsville City prosecutors filed multiple class B misdemeanor charges against the man on April 25, including driving with a measurable controlled substance in the body, driving on a revoked or suspended license and possession or use of a controlled substance. He also was handed three infractions of failure to yield to pedestrians when a traffic signal is not operating.

The charging documents stated that the man was found to have 10 anabolic steroid pills in his pocket along with marijuana and was driving on a suspended license at the time of the collision. A blood test, according to the charges, found that he had amounts of Benzoylecgonine, THC and THC metabolite in his system.

“It all seems like it’s a no-brainer, right — it also seems like a no-brainer that his actions caused Karl’s death,” said Keven Wall, Spencer’s father. “When we found out a week ago, week-and-a-half ago that the county declined all charges and that the city was going to (do) what amounted to a slap on the wrists, it was pretty infuriating.”

A spokesman for the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office said due to the ongoing prosecution at the justice court level, he could not speak about the decision reached by the DA’s office.

“As much so as when we were in our room and got the call that our son had broken his arm and was hit by a car, it’s that big of a gut punch where you feel like you’re going through the thing all over again,” Wall said of the DA’s decision.

Wall said there should at least be more serious consequences in cases where someone is driving on a suspended license and causes a death.

“If that’s not worthy of spending some time in jail, then what is?” questioned Wall.

Wall said his son was still dealing with lingering effects including pain from the collision more than six months later, but was maintaining a positive attitude as he continued on his long road to recovery.

“The neurosurgeon afterward said that he hadn’t removed a blood clot that big off of somebody’s brain in his entire career,” Wall said.

Wall said he has also found himself advocating for safer roads. In a recent Facebook post he shared publicly, he advocated for better lighting along streets and flashing lights at crosswalks.

“Our lives really were forever changed that night,” Wall said. “We’d just love to see that never happen again.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Autumn Mercado, who was found dead in her home on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025....

Garna Mejia

Charges pending in case of West Jordan mother found dead, family seeks justice and protection for children

Nearly a month after the discovery of a West Jordan woman's body during a welfare check, charges in the case have yet to be filed.

7 hours ago

FILE - A police vehicle flashes its lights. (Matt Rourke, Associated Press) FILE: police lights. On...

Michael Houck

Pedestrian killed after being hit by a vehicle, Santa Clara-Ivins police say

A woman was fatally hit by a vehicle Friday evening, Santa Clara-Ivins police say.

7 hours ago

An Orem home that was scheduled to be demolished on fire on Feb. 4, 2025....

Brian Carlson

Massive Orem house fire being investigated as arson

A fire that destroyed an empty Orem home in a wooded area of the city is now being investigated as arson.

8 hours ago

Nancy Duncan and Nick Jenderko behind Sabrina Carpenter at the 2025 Grammy Awards show....

Mike Anderson

Utahns sat among stars at the Grammys

Some Utahns earned some bragging rights after a night at the Grammy Awards.

9 hours ago

FILE: On the same day the Utah’s Senate unanimously passed a resolution to bring an NHL franchise...

Daniella Rivera

‘You are inviting rapists to Utah’: Survivor urges lawmakers to consider consent bill

Year after year, Utah lawmakers have resisted or ignored efforts to close what experts and advocates say is a gap in the state’s sexual assault laws. The lawmaker behind those efforts hopes this year will be different.

10 hours ago

Over a thousand people filled the state Capitol rotunda Friday pleading for Gov. Spencer Cox to vet...

Shara Park

Thousands gather at Capitol Hill to protest against controversial union bill

Over a thousand people filled the Utah State Capitol rotunda Friday pleading for Gov. Spencer Cox to veto HB267.

10 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Father ‘infuriated’ by DA office’s decision in deadly crosswalk auto-pedestrian collision