Murray, UT (April 22, 2021) – Officers from the Utah Highway Patrol have identified the fatal victim of a wrong-way crash that took place on Monday, April 19th as 19-year-old Gwendolyn Doner.
Police reports state that the car occupied by Doner and her boyfriend was merging from Interstate 15 onto Interstate 215 in Murray when they were struck head-on by a pick-up truck driven by 35-year-old Justin Robertson.
In follow-up statements, police have said the collision that took the teenager’s life was the final act of an unusual crime spree.
An arrest report shows that Robertson informed police officers that he was high on crystal meth when he rammed a Unified Police squad car at the Cottonwood Heights police station. Robertson fled the scene as Unified officers gave chase but stopped following the truck when he turned the wrong way onto Interstate 215 at 6200 South.
Every effort was made to shut down the immediate area but Robertson managed to get another eight miles down the interstate before crashing head-first into two cars at the Interstate 15 interchange. Robertson then tried to flee the scene on foot but was attempted to run away from the crash but was apprehended by the Utah Highway Patrol.
When he was questioned, Robertson asserted that he had planned the evening’s tragic events and carried them out willfully. He admitted to using crystal meth about half an hour prior to ramming the police car. Court records show that he had a suspended license, and his vehicle was neither registered nor insured.
Gwen Doner was airlifted to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray where she passed away from her injuries. Her boyfriend, whose name has not been released, also received treatment for injuries but is expected to recover. A dog owned by the couple also sustained injuries and was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment.
A driver in the other car that was struck by Robertson is also expected to make a full recovery.
Robertson is being held without bail in the Salt Lake County Jail. He has been charged with automobile homicide and driving under the influence, as well as multiple other charges.
We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased victim, Ms. Gwendolyn Doner, at this time. Our thoughts are with the injured victims and their families in hopes of a full recovery.
When dealing with wrongful death in Utah, members of the victim’s immediate family, parents, spouses, and children, are entitled to bring a claim against the at-fault person. If you have decided to file such a claim, it is imperative that you secure immediate legal counsel in order to be eligible for damages.
The health and age of the deceased, their yearly income, and their personal expenses are all taken into consideration when establishing damages for the wrongful death. Financial compensation in these cases can include factors such as medical expenses, burial costs, loss of inheritance, loss of future wages, loss of benefits like medical insurance and pension, pain and suffering, and more.
Non-economic damages, like loss of companionship, are occasionally also awarded in wrongful death suits. A Utah personal injury attorney will know the most effective methods and strategies to help you see a successful outcome to your wrongful death claim.
When victims pass away from injuries sustained in accidents caused by reckless, negligent, or careless drivers, their families may be entitled to compensation. Filing a legal claim with a responsive and effective wrongful death attorney in the Salt Lake City area can help to ensure your legal rights are protected after enduring the loss of a loved one.
The Utah car accident attorneys at Jardine Law Offices P.C. have extensive experience helping grieving families get the justice they deserve after losing loved ones in preventable collisions. Our team takes an aggressive and comprehensive approach toward protecting the legal rights of families throughout the Salt Lake City area.
Right from the beginning, we begin to put together strong legal claims that best demonstrate the negligence of the defendant. With adequate evidence, case law, and dedication, we aggressively negotiate settlements for our clients that ensure they are fully and fairly compensated for the economic and non-economic damages they face moving forward.
If your loved one lost their lives in an accident, due to the negligence of another person, contact our personal injury attorneys in Salt Lake City at (801) 350-3506 to see how our team can help you get the justice you deserve for your loved one. Our team is available to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s accident.
Notes: The details and information utilized to create this post were gathered through the use of secondary sources. The details surrounding this accident have not been independently verified by the writing staff at Jardine Law Offices P.C.. These sources include but are not limited to newspaper stories, local news sources, local and state police reports, and eyewitness accounts about serious accidents that take place in Farmington and Salt Lake City, Utah. If you locate any information that is inaccurate, please contact us right away so that we can update the post with the most accurate information available. If you would like the post to be removed, please let us know and we will remove it as soon as possible.
Disclaimers: The attorneys at Jardine Law Offices P.C. have worked hard through the years to build a solid business reputation in the community. We write about these serious incidents to bring awareness about the dangers associated with driving in hopes that our fellow community members will use an abundance of caution when operating a motor vehicle and avoid being involved in a serious accident themselves. This story is not intended to be a solicitation for business. The information provided in this post should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. The photos used in this post are not taken from the scene of this accident.