Man dies pushing wife out of way of suspected drunk driver in Springville, police say
Sep 3, 2025, 8:56 PM | Updated: Sep 4, 2025, 6:07 pm
A memorial for a man hit and killed by a drunk driver in Springville is pictured on Sept. 4, 2025. (Shelby Lofton, KSL TV)
(Shelby Lofton, KSL TV)
SALT LAKE CITY — One person is dead in Springville after police say a truck veered off the road toward a couple walking on the sidewalk. The driver was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide.
The Springville Police Department said in a Facebook post that the crash happened around 6:40 p.m. in the area of 400 South 40 East Wednesday evening.
Springville PD later announced that the collision happened at approximately 6:40 p.m. A couple was walking on the sidewalk when a truck towing a trailer reportedly left the roadway and drove toward them.
“The male, walking next to his wife, saw the truck driving toward the both of them, and heroically pushed his wife out of the way, taking the entire impact of the truck,” Springville PD said.
In a statement, the victim’s family identified him as Matthew Daines.
No words can adequately express our sense of loss at the sudden and unexpected death of our son Matthew Daines.
The event that took him from us and this Earth resulted from human error, but does not undermine the power and love of the Almighty, in whose wisdom we choose to trust.
In our profoundly deep sorrow, we encourage no sense of retribution to anyone.
We ask that all persons and parties not directly involved in this tragic matter respect our need for privacy while we deal with loss and necessary arrangements, going forward.”
Dianne Singleton said she was driving nearby when she heard a rattling sound.
“Like a lot of metal and turned and looked and then I could hear a woman yelling, ‘Help,’ something to the effect. ‘Help, I need help,'” Singleton recalled. “A very panicky yell, and people stopped and got out and helped her.”
She said she cringed hearing the woman’s voice because she had a serious concern someone was underneath the black pick-up truck, but couldn’t quite tell from her vantage point.
First responders arrived and provided medical attention, and the man was taken to a hospital, but he died, police said. Police documents said his wife sustained lacerations, but she was said to be alright.
Emergency crews respond to the scene where a truck reportedly veered onto a sidewalk in Springville and hit a man, ultimately killing him. (Zachary Pope, KSL TV)
Landon Owens was working at Jimmy John’s when he heard the crash.
“I saw a large group of people crowd around the base of the truck,” he said. “There was this lady on scene who seemed to be managing everything … she asked us for water, rags, napkins, anything to help stop the bleeding.”
Owens said he was also asked to keep the driver from leaving the scene.
“He was very, very intoxicated,” he said. “His truck reeked. It was not pretty.”
Police officers reportedly smelled alcohol coming from the driver at the scene. After a DUI investigation, the driver was arrested and accused of DUI, vehicular homicide and “several other charges,” Springville PD said.
A probable cause statement for the arrest said 41-year-old Travis Mcintyre was taken into custody after the collision. Police said he was still sitting behind the wheel of his truck as the victim lay underneath the vehicle.
The statement said officers saw an open container of alcohol inside the truck, and saw that Mcintyre had “red, glossy eyes.”
“He was very empty,” Owens said. “He didn’t look like he was there. He looked somewhere else. He listened to some basic commands like, keep your hands on the wheel.”
“Officers requested Mcintyre to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. He was unable to stand and safely perform the tests,” the statement said.
Police placed the man in handcuffs and took him to the Springville Police Department, the statement said. Tests showed Mcintyre had a breath alcohol concentration of .307 — roughly six times the legal limit.
“The driver, hope they throw the book at him,” Singleton said. “He should not have been on the road. That’s what angers me.”
Witnesses reportedly saw Mcintyre driving erratically before the collision, and police learned he had earlier crashed into another car and continued driving.
Mcintyre is accused of felony automobile homicide, as well as misdemeanors for driving on a denied license, DUI, crossing a highway divider, failing to comply with duties at an accident, negligently operating a vehicle, two counts of driving with an open container and reckless driving.
This story is breaking and may be updated.
