Teen in Vernal crash dies; driver possibly texting

By The Associated Press
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

VERNAL, Utah — A Vernal teen has died after being hit by a driver who was apparently texting.

Vernal police say a 15-year-old boy was walking alongside the road about 9 p.m. Sunday when a pickup truck driven by a 28-year-old Vernal resident drifted to the side and hit the teen.

Police say it appears the driver was texting at the time of the crash.

The boy was taken to Ashley Regional Medical Center in extremely critical condition, then transferred to Primary Children’s Medical Center.

Authorities say he died Monday.

Assistant Chief Keith Campbell tells The Salt Lake Tribune the driver could possibly face a second-degree felony charge of automobile homicide while operating an electronic device.