9-year-old boy died after an 80-year-old man struck him as he rode a bike back from school, then continued dragging the boy for 50 feet underneath his vehicle; man charged
Utah – In a heartbreaking incident in Utah, felony charges have now been filed against the 80-year-old man, identified as G. Hunter, accused of fatally striking a 9-year-old boy and continuing to drive with the child trapped beneath his truck. Hunter has been formally charged with second-degree felony manslaughter and third-degree felony leaving the scene of an accident involving death, following the death of the young boy who was simply riding his bike home from school.
The tragedy occurred on April 29, 2025. According to prosecutors, the boy was crossing the intersection when Hunter, behind the wheel of a white pickup truck, turned into him. The impact was severe. The boy was dragged nearly 50 feet beneath the vehicle before he was dislodged. His bicycle, however, remained wedged under the truck, and pieces of it were later found nearly a block away. Despite desperate efforts by witnesses to stop the truck—some waving their arms and pointing to the ground—Hunter reportedly did not stop. In fact, according to court documents, he appeared to speed up and leave the scene entirely. The 9-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries.
After leaving the scene, Hunter was later located at the local fairgrounds, where he spoke with officers. During questioning, he told police that he believed another driver was waving him on, not trying to warn him. He also claimed that he saw a bicycle under the other driver’s car, not his own, and didn’t realize the urgency of the situation. Hunter also admitted that while driving, he heard a strange screeching noise and later saw a bicycle in his rearview mirror. That’s when he finally stopped, got out, and moved the bike to the sidewalk. He claimed he waited for about seven minutes before leaving the scene once again.
According to reports, Hunter claimed he knew he hit a bicycle but was unaware whether a child was on it. Initially, investigators hesitated to file charges, noting the legal difference between a person being truly unaware versus willfully negligent. As Police Captain B. Smith explained, “Those are two very different states of mind. One of them is criminal, and the other is not.” But after reviewing the evidence—including statements from eyewitnesses and Hunter himself—prosecutors moved forward with felony charges.
Despite the serious nature of the case, the victim’s family has been vocal in expressing forgiveness toward Hunter. His parents, shared that they had met with Hunter personally and believed he did not intend harm saying, “We know he didn’t intend to do this.” In a statement after the charges were announced, the victim’s family said: “This tragedy has changed our lives, his included. We know that he is deeply remorseful. We don’t desire that he or his family should endure additional punishment beyond what they’ve already experienced… We desire everyone to be made whole.” They emphasized that they were not the ones pressing charges and had communicated their position clearly to the County Attorney’s Office.
As of this week, Hunter did not appear on the county inmate roster. It remains unclear whether he will face incarceration, though he now stands accused of two serious felonies in the wake of a boy’s preventable death. Community members once gathered to place flowers, blue ribbons, and balloons at the crash site to honor the memory of “an amazing boy” known for his bright spirit.
