A Utah community is still reeling months after a tragic accident claimed the life of 9-year-old Dalton Gibbs — and now, the 80-year-old man accused of hitting him faces felony charges.
According to court documents obtained by KUTV, George Parker Hunter has been charged with second-degree felony manslaughter and third-degree felony leaving the scene of an accident involving death. The charges stem from an April 25 incident in Pleasant Grove, Utah, when Dalton was riding his bike home from school and was fatally struck by Hunter’s white pickup truck.
Police say Hunter turned into an intersection and allegedly hit Dalton, dragging him about 50 feet. Witnesses frantically tried to flag Hunter down, screaming and waving at him to stop, but investigators say he continued driving.
According to court records, Dalton was eventually freed from under the truck, but his bike remained lodged beneath it. Hunter later told police he thought another driver was waving him away rather than trying to warn him. While driving off, he reportedly heard a screeching noise, saw the bicycle in his rearview mirror, and eventually pulled over to move the bike off the road — before leaving the scene.
An officer on-site allegedly overheard Hunter tell someone, “I knew I hit a bicycle, but I didn’t think there was a kid on it.”
Pleasant Grove Police Captain Britt Smith called the situation heartbreaking, saying Hunter — who had a valid driver’s license — was “somebody’s father, somebody’s grandparent, who has diminished faculties and is operating a vehicle on the roadway.”
Dalton was rushed to the hospital but died from his injuries the same day.
In an emotional statement, Dalton’s parents, Tyler and Kim Gibbs, said they do not support criminal charges against Hunter. “We know he didn’t intend to do this,” Kim told KSL. The family revealed they have met with Hunter and forgiven him, adding, “This tragedy has changed our lives, his included. We know that he is deeply remorseful… We do not believe incarceration or severe measures will provide the good that is needed.”
Despite the family’s wishes, prosecutors have moved forward with charges. Hunter is not currently listed in the Utah County inmate roster as of Tuesday.
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Author: thedailycrime1
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