Mother of teen killed in camping trip crash has now died
Sep 18, 2019, 4:02 PM | Updated: 4:12 pm
Photo: Chacon family via KSL TV
SALT LAKE CITY — A woman who was hurt in a crash that killed her 16-year-old daughter has died, about a month after the accident in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Friends and family held a memorial service Sunday for Sierra Chacon, 16. She and her mother, Brandilee Chacon, were sleeping in the back of a pick-up truck near the Butler Fork Trailhead. They were celebrating Sierra’s birthday with a mother-daughter camping trip. Police say while they slept August 17, a Chevy Malibu lost control, left the roadway and crashed into their truck.
CarolAnn Gudjenova, Sierra’s grandmother, told KSL5 the mother and daughter had gone to other campsites. But when they couldn’t find one, they decided to camp in their truck bed instead.
The impact killed Sierra and left Brandilee Chacon in critical condition. Police and family members confirmed Brandilee Chacon died on September 18th.
At the time of the crash, Unified police said there were four men inside the Malibu. Two of the men later told police that all four had been drinking.
The investigation is now in the hands of Salt Lake City police, who have not made any arrests. While investigators believe they know who was driving, they are waiting on DNA evidence to confirm that as well as a toxicology report.
