ST. GEORGE – A St. George woman pled not guilty to automobile homicide at her arraignment on Wednesday in Washington County’s Fifth District Court. Carla Lynn Brennan, 51, appeared before District Court Judge James Shumate and a trial date was set for April 23.
Brennan was arrested and charged with second-degree felony automobile homicide in April 2013 in connection with an automobile accident on Dixie Drive on March 4, 2013.
On that date at about 9 a.m., David Henson and his wife Leslee, both 56, were walking on the sidewalk on Dixie Drive near Sunbrook Drive. They were both hit by a car that had been rear-ended by a car that was driven by Brennan.
David Henson was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George by medical helicopter, where he was pronounced dead. Leslee Henson was seriously injured in the accident and has since recovered.
Police concluded from their investigation the accident had been caused by Brennan because she had been distracted by texting while driving.
Since the accident Henson and her family have been spurred by the tragedy to create an awareness crusade through their blog “stop the texts, stop the wrecks” and by placing warning signs throughout the city.
St. George City began the heads up thumbs up campaign in an effort to educate drivers which has included more stringent enforcement of the distracted driving laws, and taking photographs of drivers texting or otherwise distracted while driving.
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- What the HAYnes? 20 years of texting, so much time saved
- Woman arrested in connection with fatal auto-pedestrian accident
- Auto-pedestrian accident sends two women to hospital
- UPDATE: Names of victims in pedestrian-auto accident released, police seek witnesses
- One of two pedestrians in morning accident dies
- Two pedestrians collaterally injured in two-car collision
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Drivers still don’t care. I probably counted 5 people on my way home from work today texting while driving. It’s a sad sad scenario. hefty Hefty fines should be givin for thoughs who text and drive, I’m talking like DUI fines!!!!!!! This is outrageous and absurd You can’t put your damn phones down and drive people. I wish common sense was a little more common ):
These phone caused accidents really are out of hand. Might as well be drunk driving as trying to send texts on the road.
I’ve nearly been killed by idiots on the road numerous times. It’s amazing really. I’m not religious much, but it does make me wonder…
I think the fines and the revoking of licences should be the same for distracted driving as with drunk driving. I believe the police should be out blitzing the road ways looking for these violators they are everywhere…. Too many innocent lives are being lost due to these careless people. If texting is that important then pull over and finish it before you drive. It is crazy the text will be there to read once your stopped again.
Oh, but didn’t you know? “In reality, it is not universally unsafe to talk or even text while behind the wheel.” http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2013/12/19/hyde-perspectives-distracted-driving-the-nanny-state-at-the-local-level/#.UyscQ6hdXps
Yes, someone ACTUALLY said that. [smh]
Hyde is a universal idiot.
JoAnna, by all means, if you’re going to quote, please don’t just pick and chose what parts you want to quote. The remainder of that quote is “It depends upon the circumstances in which that phone use takes place.” If you are at a stoplight (while behind the wheel), it is not unsafe to send a quick text. Taking a sip of your Mountain Dew or Dirty Dr. Pepper while driving is not necessarily unsafe either.
“This approach creates a police matter where no actual danger existed or harm has occurred.”
BS. They are distracted. THAT IS the danger.
They need to install a device in your car that blocks the use of cell phones while the motor is running.
Over charged, the Washington county prosecutor way.
It’s time voters changed Brock belnap and shumate.
She probably wouldn’t take the plea deal that was a charge higher than the actual offense, par for st George.