- Two men were charged after a fatal crash in November killed a woman.
- Emmanuel Flores-Hernandez faces manslaughter charges for speeding at 107 mph.
- Donald Jay Braatan faces firearm theft and drug possession charges in connection.
WEST JORDAN — Two men have been charged in connection with a fatal crash in November that claimed the life of a 66-year-old woman.
On Nov. 18, Lisa Ann McGeary, 66, of West Valley City, was hit and killed at 6670 S. Redwood Road. According to her obituary, "in an unimaginable twist of fate, she had just left the viewing for her own mother only moments earlier."
According to charging documents, McGeary had to be extricated from her vehicle and was taken to a local hospital, where she passed away from her injuries.
Police say McGeary was hit by a Tesla occupied by three men. The driver of the vehicle that allegedly hit her, 30-year-old Emmanuel Flores-Hernandez, of Riverton, and a passenger, Donald Jay Braatan, Jr., 20, of Salt Lake City, were found nearby. A second passenger was found lying on the ground with non-life-threatening injuries.
"I don't answer questions," Flores-Hernandez told police who attempted to ask about his injuries, according to charging documents.
"While en route to the hospital, medical staff asked Flores-Hernandez about existing medical conditions and medication, to which Flores-Hernandez responded that he has nerve damage and takes THC when it gets bad. Flores-Hernandez did not provide any further information on when he last took THC. Flores-Hernandez refused to answer any further questions without an attorney being present. A warrant was obtained for Flores-Hernandez's blood, and a blood draw completed. No intoxicants were found in Flores-Hernandez's blood," the charges state.
Braatan told investigators that McGeary pulled out in front of them and "Flores-Hernandez braked and attempted to steer away to avoid the collision, which sent (his) Tesla into the bushes and trees of the cemetery," according to the charges.
Investigators downloaded data from the Tesla and discovered it "was traveling 107 mph" less than two seconds before the crash and "hit McGeary at 82 mph. The speed limit for that road is 40 mph," the charges state.
Prosecutors further note in their charges that Flores-Hernandez had "the accelerator down 100%. Security videos from nearby businesses show (him) speeding down the road and possibly racing another vehicle."
In December, West Jordan police asked for the public's help in finding a red sports car, "possibly a Ford Mustang or Dodge Challenger," that may have been racing the Tesla prior to the crash.
Police found a case of beer in the back of the wrecked Tesla, but Braatan said Flores-Hernandez had not consumed any, the charges state.
A handgun was also found in the center console and Flores-Hernandez had a second gun in a holster attached to his waistband, according to the charges. A backpack that Braatan claimed was his contained a third gun, THC packages, and drug paraphernalia, which were also seized, according to the charges. In addition, investigators later determined Braatan's gun had been stolen.
Flores-Hernandez was charged Tuesday in 3rd District Court with manslaughter, a second-degree felony, and providing alcohol to a person under 21 years of age, a class A misdemeanor.
Braatan was charged with theft of a firearm, a second-degree felony; having a weapon with drugs, a third-degree felony; and drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and being a minor in possession of alcohol, class B misdemeanors.
