A melancholy Carole Beck said her son's death was not a murder, but a tragic accident.
She asked the Utah County Attorney's Office Monday to stop prosecuting Robert Anthony Triay, who is charged with automobile homicide, a second degree felony, for the September death of his best friend and her son, David Beck."He's like my own son," she said of Triay. "If they were actual brothers, what would you do, send one to jail? It just happened."
Triay, 22, Provo, pleaded no contest to the charge Monday in 4th District Court. The charge will be held in abeyance for 12 months, meaning he is on probation and must undergo alcohol counseling. If he completes all the requirements, the felony charge will be dismissed in one year.
David Beck, 20, was sitting on the hood of a car parked in the driveway of his home at 903 N. 250 West Sept. 10, when Triay backed the vehicle out and turned the car at the same time. Beck was knocked onto the road and the car then ran over him, trapping him beneath and dragging him about 50 yards before onlookers got Triay's attention and he stopped.
Triay was booked for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol but was later charged with automobile homicide.
Carole Beck said Triay's personal punishment is hard enough without further prosecution.
"He has to live with this for the rest of his life anyway," she said.
Triay had been staying off and on with the Becks for a month before David Beck's death, and now he resides permanently in Carole Beck's home.
He said he's still dazed by the accident and is unsure of how to act, especially around his friends.
"I ran over and killed my best friend, what else is there to say?" Triay said. "We were foolish, foolish for drinking, foolish for messing around."
But he said he's relieved he will be able to work through his grief and counseling away from court.
"Now, I'm just taking care of my own business," Triay said.
Triay said he and his friends used to do everything together, but now they don't.
"I've lost more than one friend out of it. We realize we're not going to be around each other for the rest of our lives," Triay said. "It's time to grow up."
Carole Beck said her son and Triay's friends have gone through a sobering change since the death. Many have gone through drug and alcohol counseling.
"Sometimes, it takes something tragic to get their attention. It's just unfortunate it had to be my son," she said.