Show summary Hide summary
A Utah man was sentenced this week after a DUI crash killed a newly married father-to-be who had pushed his wife out of harm’s way. The wreck in Springville has prompted renewed attention to drunk-driving consequences after prosecutors said the victim’s last act saved both his partner and their unborn child.
Sentence follows conviction for driving under the influence
Travis McIntyre pleaded guilty in May to vehicular homicide and related charges following the collision that left 26-year-old Matthew Daines dead, court records show. A judge in the 4th District Court imposed a prison term of five to 15 years.
US ends Hong Kong emergency powers, eases targeted sanctions: Trump-era order remains
OnlyFans scam siphons creators’ earnings: users say accounts were hijacked
During sentencing, the judge faulted McIntyre for choosing to drive while intoxicated despite an alleged history of similar behavior, saying his decision inflicted lasting harm on two families. McIntyre apologized from the stand, telling the court he is struggling to forgive himself.
What happened that night
The collision occurred in the evening on a Springville sidewalk near 40 East and 400 South, where Daines and his wife were walking. According to a police statement, Daines pushed his wife out of the truck’s path as the vehicle mounted the curb. She survived without serious injuries.
First responders began lifesaving measures at the scene and Daines was taken to a local hospital, but he later died of severe injuries. Officers at the scene reported an odor of alcohol coming from McIntyre, and subsequent tests indicated his blood-alcohol level was **more than six times** the legal limit, the Utah County Attorney’s Office said.
- Victim: Matthew Daines, 26
- Defendant: Travis McIntyre (pleaded guilty in May)
- Location: Springville, near 40 East & 400 South
- Charges: Vehicular homicide, DUI and additional counts
- Sentence: 5 to 15 years in prison
- Evidence: Witness accounts, police report, blood-alcohol testing
Family statements and community reaction
At sentencing, prosecutors described Daines’ action as a final, selfless act that saved his wife and their unborn child. The victim’s father read passages from journals his son kept, portraying a young man who had recently married and was looking forward to building a life with his wife.
The judge, addressing McIntyre, emphasized the long-term damage caused beyond the immediate loss of life — the extended families and the child who will grow up without a father. The deputy county attorney noted no legal punishment can restore what was taken, but said accountability remains essential.
Local coverage and court filings indicate the crash has reinforced calls from advocates and officials for strict enforcement of DUI laws and for drivers to use alternatives such as rideshares or taxis when impaired.
Why this matters now
Beyond the sentence itself, the case underscores two pressing issues: the human cost of impaired driving and the recurring nature of DUI incidents in some drivers’ records. For readers, it’s a reminder of the immediate choices that can prevent tragedies — calling a ride, designating a sober driver, or staying put until sober.
The family of the victim, who married earlier in 2025, must now navigate life without him, while the legal process moves into post-sentencing phases. Authorities say the case will remain a point of reference in local efforts to reduce drunk-driving deaths.
