Driver charged in fatal crash involving FrontRunner train in Provo

Courts » 49-year-old who struck cyclist is in jail on federal immigration hold.

By Bob Mims

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Feb 21 2013 09:42 am • Last Updated Feb 22 2013 03:56 pm

A 49-year-old woman remained in the Utah County Jail on a federal immigration hold order Thursday, the day after she was arrested in a fatal Feb. 15 FrontRunner commuter train accident.

Maria Fregoso-Avina, 49, also was formally charged Thursday in 4th District Court with class A misdemeanor negligent homicide. Prosecutors say she had not properly cleared ice from her SUV’s windshield when she struck 69-year-old Douglas Crow, who worked in the Physical Facilities custodial shop at Brigham Young University.

The collision knocked Crow off his bicycle and onto the tracks, where an approaching FrontRunner train ran over him.

Police say that Fregoso-Avina, a Mexican national, did pull over after the collision. Crow was pronounced dead shortly after being rushed to a hospital.

In addition to the negligent homicide charge, Fregoso-Avina was charged with class C misdemeanor failure to maintain a proper lookout and operation, also a class C misdemeanor.

Funeral services were held Thursday for Crow, who was the father of seven children, according to his obituary. Crow was reportedly a collector, and was particularly proud of his antique bottles.

His loved spending time with his grandhildren, and his dog, Elvis, according to the obit.

Crow is survived by his wife, Nellie Crow, and their seven children.

BYU offered condolences in a prepared statement: "As a university community we are deeply saddened by the death of longtime BYU employee Douglas Crow. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims

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