The mother of a 9-year-old Tooele girl killed in an all-terrain vehicle accident on Feb. 8 is facing criminal charges, according to Tooele City Police.
A blood sample taken from Necole Anderson, 39, at the scene of the accident tested positive for marijuana and Valium, according to police. It has not been determined if Anderson had a prescription for Valium, police said.
Anderson faces charges of third-degree automobile homicide, a felony, and two counts of protective headgear requirements and operating an off-highway vehicle on a street or highway, both misdemeanors.
The blood report and charges have been forwarded to the Tooele County Attorney’s office.
According to the police report of the accident, witnesses said they saw the four-wheeler heading down the road toward the intersection of Century and Broadmoor drives with 9-year-old Caessea Anderson sitting in front of her mother, and 13-year-old Dustee Anderson in the back.
None of the four-wheeler’s occupants were wearing helmets, police said.
Utah state law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from riding or operating an all-terrain vehicle without wearing a helmet.
Witnesses said the ATV accelerated as it neared the end of Century Drive and tipped onto its two wheels on the right side of the vehicle. The four-wheeler then struck a barbwire fence that separated the north end of Century Drive from a field, police said.
All three occupants of the ATV were ejected in the crash and Caessea Anderson received a major laceration to her neck, according to the police report. She was transported to an area hospital but pronounced dead, the report said.
Necole Anderson appeared to suffer arm and internal injuries in the accident and was transported to Mountain West Medical Center, according to the police report.
Dustee Anderson received only minor injuries and was not transported to a hospital, police said.