A Utah man has been charged with automobile homicide after he caused an accident that killed 17-year-old Landon Wilkerson, a senior at Pleasant Grove High School.
Garrett Frank Harris, 44, had methamphetamine and amphetamine in his system at the time of the accident on Oct. 23, according to a urine test. He has been charged in 4th District Court with automobile homicide, a second-degree felony; two counts of driving under the influence and possession or use of methamphetamine, class-A misdemeanors; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a class-B misdemeanor.
According to charging documents, shortly before 7:30 a.m. on Friday Harris was driving near 1900 W. Arrowhead Trail in Spanish Fork when he crossed over the center line and struck three other vehicles. The driver of the first car told police he attempted to avoid a collision, but was struck with a “glancing blow” on the driver’s side, injuring him and sending Harris' car “directly into the oncoming lane,” where it collided head on with Wilkerson’s vehicle.
The teenager was killed on impact, and Harris' vehicle continued into the opposite lane and struck another car, injuring a third victim.
According to police, Harris had two meth pipes in his possession at the time of the collision, and “admitted to ingesting meth prior to the accident.” Results of a blood test are pending.
Harris was booked into the Utah County jail and released after posting $5,000 bail.
A GoFundMe page to benefit the Wilkerson family has raised more than $20,000 of its $25,000 goal as of midday Wednesday.