The Springville community is grieving the tragic loss of 36-year-old Matthew Daines, who was killed Wednesday evening after being struck by a truck while walking with his wife along South Main Street.
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Police say the driver, identified as 42-year-old Travis McIntyre, was highly intoxicated at the time of the crash, registering a blood alcohol concentration more than six times Utah’s legal limit.
The Deadly Collision
Around 6:39 p.m., officers responded to reports of a pedestrian hit near 400 South Main Street. When they arrived, they found a Chevrolet Silverado that had mounted the sidewalk and pinned Daines beneath its front passenger side. His wife, who was walking beside him, suffered minor injuries but survived.
Despite emergency crews’ efforts to revive him, Daines was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
A Final Act of Heroism
Investigators say Daines made a split-second sacrifice to protect his wife, pushing her out of harm’s way before taking the full impact of the truck.
“Because of him, she is alive today,” Officer Van Pelt of the Springville Police Department said. “He put her life above his own. His actions were nothing short of heroic.”
Signs of Extreme Impairment
Witnesses reported McIntyre had been driving erratically moments before the crash, blocking an intersection and colliding with another vehicle. Officers at the scene noted the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, and open containers inside the truck.
Field sobriety tests confirmed his intoxication, with an Intoxilyzer reading of 0.307 BAC. Urine analysis also detected THC and alcohol markers. Blood results remain pending.
Legal Action Underway
McIntyre has been charged with automobile homicide, DUI, and crossing a highway divider. Authorities ordered he be held without bail, calling the case “entirely preventable.”
“This was not just a tragic accident—it was avoidable,” police said. “Driving under the influence continues to take lives, and accountability will be pursued.”
Family Statement and Community Response
In a statement, Daines’ family shared their heartbreak:
“No words can adequately express our sense of loss at the sudden and unexpected death of our son. In our sorrow, we encourage no sense of retribution. We will remember Matthew for the love he gave and the sacrifice he made.”
Neighbors and friends have begun organizing vigils to honor Daines, remembering him as a devoted husband whose final act of love saved his wife.
A Sobering Reminder
The tragedy has renewed urgent calls against impaired driving in Utah. Authorities are urging residents never to drive under the influence, warning that every reckless decision has irreversible consequences.
As Springville mourns, Matthew Daines is remembered not only as a victim of a senseless crash but as a hero who gave his life to protect the woman he loved.