This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A 22-year-old Holladay man was sentenced to prison Monday for driving under the influence of drugs when he hit and killed a pedestrian with his van two years ago.
Ashton Lee Godfrey pleaded guilty in March to second-degree felony automobile homicide and third-degree felony counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.
In exchange for Godfrey's pleas, prosecutors dismissed six other counts.
On Monday, 3rd District Judge Ann Boyden sentenced Godfrey to one to 15 years in prison on the auto homicide count, and up to five years on prison on the other two counts. The judge ordered the three terms to run concurrently.
On March 7, 2013, Unified police responded to a report of a Chevrolet Astro striking a pedestrian at 3850 S. 1100 East in Millcreek. They arrived to find Larry Madison, 64, critically injured on the side of the road.
Madison was taken to Intermountain Medical Center, where he died. Madison had spent 40 years as a programmer at MediaOne, which oversees printing and advertising for The Salt Lake Tribune .
Based on surveillance video, a witness and evidence at the scene, investigators said they determined that Godfrey had been driving south on 1100 East when he crossed into the northbound lanes and kept drifting east until he hit Madison. The retired programmer had been walking in the shoulder of the road.
Godfrey stopped to offer assistance, and as an officer spoke with Godfrey, he concluded the man was under the influence, according to charges. A test of his blood showed positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine, the charges add.
Police said a search of the van turned up alcohol, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, a digital scale, plastic bags for drug packaging, a firearm with ammunition and three knives.
Godfrey has no prior criminal convictions, according to a search of Utah court records.