A driver of a tow truck has been accused of lying about properly securing the bulldozer that crushed a Utah CEO and his teenage daughter to death.
Michael John Love, 51, of Ogden, was arrested on October 28 and charged with two felony counts of manslaughter for the deaths of Lifetime Products CEO Richard David Hendrickson, 57, and his daughter Sally, 16, according to the Standard-Examiner.
Love allegedly lied about how secure the bulldozer was to his tow truck, which slid off the vehicle while going around a bend and fell onto Hendricksons vehicle in the oncoming lane.
Utah Highway Patrol wrote in an arrest warrant that the bulldozer was only secured with one small chain on the back and with the toe-hook winch on the front, according to ABC 4.
Love, however, told police the machinery had been held down with six restraints.
However, nearby surveillance footage revealed the driver was seen walking around without having to step over any non-existence chains on the backend of the truck, according to an arrest affidavit.
Michael John Love, 51, of Ogden, was arrested on October 28 and charged with two felony counts of manslaughter for the deaths of Lifetime Products CEO Richard David Hendrickson center), 57, and his daughter Sally, 16 (center)
Love (pictured) has been accused of lying about how secure the bulldozer was to his tow truck, which slid off the vehicle while going around a bend and falling onto Hendricksons vehicle in the oncoming lane
The 51-year-old also claimed Hendricksons vehicle had struck his and that caused the bulldozer to come loose, but witnesses disputed this narrative, saying neither vehicle left its lane prior to the crash, according to ABC 4.
The fact that some of Michael Love’s first actions after the crash were to attempt to place more chains into the scene to indicate the bulldozer was secured properly, demonstrates that he knew the bulldozer was not properly secured, documents, viewed by ABC 4, said.
Love also faces felony charges of aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, second-degree obstruction of justice and a misdemeanor for third-degree obstruction of justice, according to ABC 4.
Hendrickson and Sally both died while they were traveling up Ogden Canyon, in eastern Weber County, Utah in July.
His company announced his death in a statement, writing: It is with profound sadness that we announce the tragic and sudden passing of our CEO and President, Richard David Hendrickson.
Utah Highway Patrol wrote in an arrest warrant that the bulldozer was only secured with one small chain on the back and with the toe-hook winch on the front. Love (pictured), however, told police the machinery had been held down with six restraints
Surveillance footage revealed Love was seen walking around without having to step over any non-existence chains. The 51-year-old also claimed Hendricksons vehicle had struck his and that caused the bulldozer (pictured) to come loose, but witnesses disputed this
Love also faces felony charges of aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, second-degree obstruction of justice and a misdemeanor for third-degree obstruction of justice
This heartbreaking incident also claimed the life of one of his daughters, Sally, the company explained.
His wife and two of the couples other children sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the accident.
Another daughter was traveling overseas at the time and not in the family car.
The Utah-based company specializes in outdoor furniture and equipment reports ABC4.
Richard started as a welder and progressed through multiple levels of the company to become President and CEO due to his extraordinary talents and abilities, said Barry Mower, founder of Lifetime Products.
He was one of my most trusted and cherished friends and will be sorely missed. Lifetime will not be the same without him. My love and heartfelt sympathy go out to his dear family.
Hendricksons company announced his death in a statement. His wife and two of the couples other children sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the accident. Another daughter was traveling overseas and was not in the family car
The Hendricksons $1.32million home in Ogden, Utah
Following the tragic deaths, a petition has been launched to limit the type of vehicles that are allowed along the narrow road.
Ogden Canyon, the narrow, two-lane passageway connecting Ogden Valley with the city of Ogden, serves as a lifeline for many citizens in Weber County, UT, the petition reads.
Flanked by the Ogden River on one side and steep mountain cliffs on the other, this precarious piece of infrastructure is a nerve-wracking daily commute for families and young drivers traveling to school and other essential destinations.
The petition reveals how the road gives little to no shoulder width in some sections of the canyon with larger vehicles posing a substantial risk to the safety of commuters.