‘I Did not Suppose There Was a Child on It’

George Parker Hunter, 80, was behind the wheel on the afternoon of April 25 when he took a flip at an intersection and allegedly struck Dalton Gibbs, 9, who was driving his bike house from college. Solely, in accordance with witnesses and police reviews, Hunter didn’t cease after the impression.

As a substitute, they instructed police he stored driving, at the same time as individuals close by tried to flag him down. In truth, in accordance with the police report, witnesses say that when the tried to get his consideration, he really sped up.

In keeping with courtroom paperwork reviewed by ABC affiliate KUTV, Hunter dragged Gibbs and his bicycle for about 50 toes as witnesses have been shouting and waving at him earlier than the boy was lastly knocked free. His bike remained wedged underneath the truck as the person continued driving.

Gibbs was transported to a neighborhood hospital, however succumbed to his accidents and died that very same day.

Finally, police have been capable of monitor Hunter down and requested him in regards to the incident. In keeping with Legislation&Crime, he instructed them that he noticed a bicycle underneath one other driver’s automobile, and when that driver was reportedly waving at him and searching “panicked”, per NBC affiliate KSL, as they obtained out of their automobile, he thought they have been waving for him to go on, so he drove on.

He then instructed police, per courtroom paperwork, that he heard a screeching sound as he was driving after which noticed a bicycle in his rearview mirror. He stated that he obtained out of his trick, eliminated the bicycle from the place it was wedged beneath and moved it to the sidewalk.

He stated he waited for about seven minutes, however when nobody got here for it and he heard no sirens, he obtained again in his truck and drove away, leaving the bicycle there.

An officer on the scene reported that he heard Hunter telling somebody, “I knew I hit a bicycle, however I did not assume there was a child on it.” Police in the end discovered items of Gibbs’ bike for 2 blocks.

Officers stated that there was a problem within the instant aftermath of the deadly accident in figuring out what Hunter did and didn’t know: i.e., did he know he’d been concerned in a hit-and-run or not?

“These are two very totally different states of minds,” defined Captain Britt Smith of the Nice Grove Police Division. “One among them is legal and the opposite isn’t.”

Now, Hunter has been charged on one second-degree felony rely of manslaughter and one third diploma rely of leaving the scene of an accident involving demise.

Gibbs’ mother and father spoke with KSL in June, the place they shared that they’d gotten the chance to talk with Hunter and that they’d come to forgive him for the demise of their son. “We all know he did not intend to do that,” stated Dalton’s mother, Kim Gibbs.

“There was a major quantity of peace and therapeutic that has come for us being prepared to forgive rapidly,” she continued, “and it has opened our hearts to loads of therapeutic quickly and in a shocking manner.”

In response to this week’s expenses, the couple replied to the information outlet with a press release the place they expressed that they don’t consider Hunter needs to be incarcerated or endure “comparable extreme measures.”

“We’re extremely grateful for the outpouring of affection and help from our neighborhood, church members, and the super first responders and medical professionals. We love and miss our son Dalton on daily basis.”

“We now have been involved with the driving force, and within the spirit of therapeutic and compassion, we’ve prolonged our forgiveness to him for the accident that triggered our household a lot hurt.”

“This tragedy has modified our lives, his included. We all know that he’s deeply remorseful. We don’t need that he or his household ought to endure extra punishment past what they’ve already skilled. We don’t consider that incarceration or comparable extreme measures will present the great that’s wanted. We consider there are different choices that may be explored to make sure public security and keep the integrity of the driving force’s household.

“To be clear, we’re not those urgent expenses. When the County Legal professional’s workplace shared with us that they might be charging the driving force, we shared these similar sentiments with them. We need everybody to be made complete.”