Prosecutors allege the driver of an oil tanker admitted to browsing the internet on his phone when he was involved in a fatal crash on SR-40 in Summit County earlier this year.
Nathan Bone, 37, now faces charges of automobile homicide, a second degree felony, and texting or emailing while driving, a class b-misdemeanor.
On May 27, Sandra Bowden was driving a Saturn SL2 sedan with Landon Bruce Peatross, age 41, of Duchesne, as a passenger when the car was hit from behind by Bone’s tanker near milepost 6 on SR-40.
The crash killed Peatross and paralyzed Bowden.
Charging documents say Bone admitted to browsing KSL Classifieds for a new car and then looked back at the road when he saw Bowden’s Saturn had stopped on the road.
Police believe Bowden stopped her car because a deer was about to run across the highway.
Bone told police he knew there was not enough time to avoid a collision with the Saturn.
“Bone said ‘I picked up my phone, I was thinking I need to find a car for my wife. I got on the phone and got on the internet, just was glancing while I was driving.’ Bone said that he typically uses his phone when driving a commercial vehicle when he believes he ‘is not in danger’,” Utah Highway Patrol trooper Nick Richins wrote of his interview with Bone after the crash.
Troopers did not find brake or tire marks on the road near the crash.
Investigators located a camera mounted inside Bone’s oil tanker and obtained a warrant to view the video.
“The camera footage from just before the accident shows that Bowden’s Saturn passed Bone in the left lane when Bone’s tractor trailer was traveling at 32 miles per hour in the right lane. Bowden’s brake lights activated when she was still in the left lane, but a substantial distance ahead of Bone,” a probable cause statement says.
The video shows Bowden’s Saturn come to a stop as a deer passes in front of it on the highway and Bone’s tanker hits the car, according to court documents. Troopers said the video showed the car had been stopped for four seconds before the collision.
The tanker hit the car at 39 miles per hour in the right lane, according to the highway patrol.
Court records indicate Bone was issued a summons for the charges, but has not been arrested. An initial appearance hearing has not been set, according to court records.
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| Landon Bruce Peatross, age 41, of Duchesne, was killed in an automobile accident on May 27, 2017, while traveling over Jordanelle. |
Landon Bruce Peatross, age 41, of Duchesne, was killed in an automobile accident on May 27, 2017, while traveling over Jordanelle.
He was born July 25, 1975, in Roosevelt, to Bruce Duane and Marsha Lea Mitchell Peatross.
Landon was a heavy equipment operator – a D9 Cat Bulldozer being his favorite– for various construction companies. He had a passion for it and was a very talented operator. He was an amazing sketch artist and had a fascination with birds which usually became the subject of his drawings. He enjoyed nature and being in the outdoors.
He was a good friend and always willing to do anything for anyone. He loved his family and they meant a lot to him. One of his favorite pastimes was teasing his nieces and nephews. He is very much loved and will be deeply missed.
Landon is survived by his children, Shania Peatross, Ogden; Matt Peatross, Roy; his significant other, Sandra Bowden, West Jordan; parents, Marsha & Bruce Peatross, Duchesne; grandmother, Cleo Peatross, Provo; sisters, Clarice (Nic) Scott, Murray; Shaina Clayburn, Tiffani (Chuck) Hale, both of Duchesne, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Loren & Leah Mitchell; Robert “Bob” Peatross, and a nephew, Coy Dietz Clayburn.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the Duchesne LDS Stake Center where a viewing will be that morning from 9:30-10:45 a.m.
Burial will be in the Duchesne Cemetery
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Prosecutors allege the driver of an oil tanker admitted to browsing the internet on his phone when he was involved in a fatal crash on SR-40 in Summit County earlier this year.
Nathan Bone, 37, now faces charges of automobile homicide, a second degree felony, and texting or emailing while driving, a class b-misdemeanor.
On May 27, Sandra Bowden was driving a Saturn SL2 sedan with Landon Peatross as a passenger when the car was hit from behind by Bone’s tanker near milepost 6 on SR-40.
The crash killed Peatross and paralyzed Bowden.
Charging documents say Bone admitted to browsing KSL Classifieds for a new car and then looked back at the road when he saw Bowden’s Saturn had stopped on the road.
Police believe Bowden stopped her car because a deer was about to run across the highway.
Bone told police he knew there was not enough time to avoid a collision with the Saturn.
“Bone said ‘I picked up my phone, I was thinking I need to find a car for my wife. I got on the phone and got on the internet, just was glancing while I was driving.’ Bone said that he typically uses his phone when driving a commercial vehicle when he believes he ‘is not in danger’,” Utah Highway Patrol trooper Nick Richins wrote of his interview with Bone after the crash.
Troopers did not find brake or tire marks on the road near the crash.
Investigators located a camera mounted inside Bone’s oil tanker and obtained a warrant to view the video.
“The camera footage from just before the accident shows that Bowden’s Saturn passed Bone in the left lane when Bone’s tractor trailer was traveling at 32 miles per hour in the right lane. Bowden’s brake lights activated when she was still in the left lane, but a substantial distance ahead of Bone,” a probable cause statement says.
The video shows Bowden’s Saturn come to a stop as a deer passes in front of it on the highway and Bone’s tanker hits the car, according to court documents. Troopers said the video showed the car had been stopped for four seconds before the collision.
The tanker hit the car at 39 miles per hour in the right lane, according to the highway patrol.
Court records indicate Bone was issued a summons for the charges, but has not been arrested. An initial appearance hearing has not been set, according to court records.