Utah County man pleads guilty to death of West Jordan teenager
Nov 29, 2022, 7:30 PM | Updated: Dec 30, 2022, 11:17 am
Photo of 13-year-old Eli Mitchell of West Jordan. Photo credit: the Mitchell family.
SALT LAKE CITY — A 50-year-old Utah County man pleaded guilty Monday in Third District Court to automobile homicide. The guilty plea comes in connection to a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of a 13-year-old teenager last April in West Jordan.
Additionally, Mason Andrew Ohms, of Saratoga Springs also pleaded guilty to failure to remain at the scene of an accident. The automobile homicide charge is a second-degree felony, while leaving the scene of an accident is a third-degree felony.
West Jordan teenager riding his bike home
On April 26, 13-year-old Eli Mitchell was riding his bicycle home from the grocery store when he was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of 1510 West. 9000 South, driven by Ohms.
Court documents at the time stated that Ohms was driving south on 1510 West and was waiting at a red light to make a right-hand turn. Additionally, officials also confirmed when this light is red, the crosswalk symbol is lit for eastbound pedestrians.
Court documents also stated at the time that Ohms accelerated hard into his turn, striking the victim as he entered the crosswalk.
Leaving the scene
Witnesses to the incident claim that Ohms never stopped. They also say that Ohms drove his 2007 silver Chevy Silverado a short distance on 9000 South before making a U-turn. He drove back past the scene and failed to stop, according to the probable cause statement.
The probable cause statement stated that he had traveled down 1510 West where he stopped to remove the victim’s bicycle that had become stuck under the vehicle.
Prior to the incident, Ohms had been at a bar. According to security video footage from the business, Ohms arrived there at 12:44 p.m. It showed that he got into his truck at 5:58 p.m. just three minutes before the incident occurred.
Records from the bar show that Ohms had consumed seven 20-ounce beers during the five hours he was there.
The probable cause statement stated that Ohms had four previous DUI convictions.
Ohms is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 23, 2023.
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