7-year-old girl killed in Kane County UTV crash, driver arrested for DUI

KANE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — A 7-year-old girl was killed in a UTV crash over July 4th weekend. The driver involved has been arrested, accused of being under the influence during the crash.

Armando Garcia Becerra, 32, was arrested in Kane County on automobile homicide (second-degree felony), three counts of driving under the influence (class A misdemeanor), reckless driving (class B misdemeanor), and negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury (class A misdemeanor).

On Saturday, July 5, a Kane County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a report of an unconscious child being transported by her parents to the Mammoth Creek Fire Station. It was reported that the child was a passenger in a UTV (Utility Task Vehicle), also known as a side-by-side, that had rolled over.

Upon arrival at the fire station, the deputy spoke with the parents of the child. They told the deputy that their 7-year-old daughter was riding as a passenger in a UTV when the driver, identified as Becerra, lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll over.

The child had severe head trauma and remained unconscious after the crash, according to a probable cause statement. She was confirmed dead at the fire station.

The deputy responded to scene of the accident where Becerra was still located. Becerra said there were three juvenile girls in the vehicle with him during the crash.

The deputy reportedly smelled alcohol on Becerra’s breath. Nearly two hours after the incident, Becerra came up positive for impairment during a breathalyzer test, blowing over the legal limit.

Becerra admitted to drinking five to six 16 oz. beers between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. He was placed under arrest and booked into Kane County Jail on the aforementioned charges.