SALT LAKE CITY — A 10-year-old boy has died after suffering injuries in a crash that killed his father over the weekend.
Moab police announced Wednesday that Israel Camey died Tuesday night as a result of injuries sustained in a multivehicle crash along Main Street in Moab on Sunday night.
Police say Benjamin Thomas Balls, 41, of Hyde Park, was traveling more than 100 mph when he entered Moab’s city limits off U.S. 191 about 8 p.m. and continued driving recklessly through Main Street — where the speed limit dropped to 30 mph — running at least one red light while still going 80 mph.
Balls’ Chevy Silverado collided with a Chevy Tahoe in the intersection of U.S. 191 and Main Street,” according to a police affidavit.
The driver of the Tahoe, Vilsar Camey, 45, of Moab, was killed. His son, Israel, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, the affidavit states.
The Silverado then crashed into a second vehicle, a Chevy Envoy driven by a 30-year-old pregnant woman, who was also taken to the local hospital to be treated for her injuries.
Police detained Balls, who got out of his wrecked vehicle by “crawling out of the passenger seat,” the affidavit states. “They took Benjamin to the hospital. While at the hospital Benjamin uttered ... that he was not wearing his seat belt and has previously had a drug problem.”
Inside Balls’ vehicle police found a traffic citation that was issued about 7 a.m. Sunday in New Mexico for speeding, according to the report.
At the time of the crash, Balls also had a warrant out for his arrest in Cache County for failing to appear in court on a charge of violating a protective order, court records indicate.
Balls was arrested for investigation of manslaughter, causing a death while refusing to stop for officers, reckless driving, criminal mischief, providing false information to police and several traffic infractions. Moab police on Wednesday said those charges would be amended in light of Israel’s death.
A GoFundMe page was set up for the Camey family. Written in both Spanish and English, relatives of Vilsar Camey asked the public for prayers. Camey was the pastor of Iglesia Principe De Paz in Moab.
“We have had an irreparable tragedy in losing a brother and Spiritual Father,” the GoFundMe page states. “Rest in peace and enjoy the presence of God our Lord our beloved Pastor Vilsar !!!... Monica Camey and Samuel Camey are defeated by the loss of their husband/father, and critical condition of their son/brother. Let’s join with support and prayer! Amen.”