DPS NEWS

October 20th crash on SR-40 at MM 32 turns fatal

On October 20th 2018, at about 12:40 AM, a black Ford Explorer was westbound on SR-40 near milepost 32.  A silver Audi was eastbound in the same area.  The Explorer left the road to the right, over-corrected to the left and went into oncoming lanes. It impacted nearly head on with the Audi.  The male driver and female passenger from the Audi sustained critical injuries.  The male was flown from the scene to Utah Valley Medical Center.  The female, who is pregnant, was taken by ground ambulance to Heber Valley Medical Center and then flown to Utah Valley MC.  According to a witness who stopped after the crash, a male driver from the Explorer fled the scene on foot headed west toward Heber.  It was discovered that the Explorer had been reported stolen from the Duchesne area. Containment was set up, and two K9 officers were called out to assist with the search. A male matching the description was located later along Highway 40 a mile or two from the crash.  He was transported to the hospital for treatment.  He said that a friend was driving.  However, evidence suggested that he was the driver.  After his release from the hospital, the driver of the Explorer was booked into jail on possession of a stolen vehicle, and several other charges, as well as a felony warrant.

On October 23rd 2018,  UHP learned that the female passenger and her unborn child succumbed to their injuries. The decedent’s name is Shantell D Young, age 22, of Duchesne, Ut.

UHP investigators will be meeting with the County Attorney to screen additional charges on the suspect associated with the deaths of Mrs. Young and her unborn child.