This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A West Jordan man was on drugs and reaching for a cell phone when he caused a Christmas Eve crash that killed a toddler, police say.
Thomas Randall Ainsworth, 55, was driving his Chevrolet Suburban west on 9000 South on Dec. 24 when he crossed the center median near 1000 West and clipped an oncoming Nissan Altima, according to charges filed Tuesday in 3rd District Court.
The Suburban then struck an oncoming Subaru Outback head-on, killing 18-month-old Colum Pack and injuring his 3-year-old brother, Finn, and their parents, Ryan and Kelly Pack.
The parents are still being treated for their injuries, police wrote.
After the crash, Ainsworth told police he had dropped his phone on the floor of the car and was reaching for it when the crash occurred, according to charges. He also tested positive for methamphetamine and THC, charges state.
Ainsworth was charged with driving with measurable controlled substance in the body and causing death, and with two counts of driving with measurable controlled substance in the body and causing serious bodily injury, all second-degree felonies. He also was charged with crossing over a median on a divided highway, a misdemeanor.
No court dates have been set.