It was supposed to be a day filled with family memories.

Instead, Dec. 5, 2008 was a day of lasts for Lynn Thurston: the last gathering around the dinner table; the last time he heard his daughter's laugh; their last hug.

Thurston and his wife drove behind their daughter, Tami Andersen, and her family on the way from Nibley to Sandy to watch 5-year-old Kylee perform with her dance class.

On the return trip, an 18-year-old Utah State University student fell asleep while driving down Sardine Canyon, crossed the freeway, and slammed into the Andersens' car.

The couple died instantly, but Kylee and her 1-year-old brother, Jaxon, survived.

"We just don't know how those two kids lived through that crash," Thurston said through tears Thursday. "It's a crying shame that somebody who was too tired to be on the road altered our lives forever."

Now, Thurston and his wife, Brenda, are raising their grandchildren and warning others of the dangers of drowsy drivers. They told their story as officials announced they are putting up signs between North Weber and Box Elder County to encourage sleepy drivers to pull over at the nearest exit and rest.

In Utah, 12 percent of accidents are caused by drowsy driving, but Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Lee Perry, who oversees the highways in Box Elder County and Cache County, suspects it's closer to 25 percent. Drivers rarely admit they fell asleep behind the wheel.

Lee has informed his troopers to start citing drowsy drivers for improper lane travel or other infractions, and to make sure the driver rests before driving on.

"We don't want to be writing out these citations," Perry said. "We would rather the driver pull over and take a nap. Drowsy driving kills."

That's a harsh truth that still produces both sadness and anger in Brad Roach's voice when he recalls that winter night.

His daughter, Hannah, 9, had traveled with the Andersens that day and she died in the crash.

Every morning he wakes up and sees the photo of his little girl who loved horses and dogs and going four-wheeling with her dad. On his way to work each day, he drives past the cemetery where she is buried. It's a constant reminder not only that he'll never see his daughter go on her first date, graduate from high school or marry, but also of the fact that someone chose to get on the road when he was in no condition to drive.

"It's unbelievable to me that someone could be so selfish," Roach said.

smcfarland@sltrib.com