Michael John Love, a tow-truck driver from Marriott-Slaterville, Utah, was sentenced to four to 23 years in prison after a bulldozer he was hauling rolled off his flatbed and killed Richard Hendrickson, CEO of Lifetime Products, and his 16-year-old daughter Sally Hendrickson on SR-39 in Ogden Canyon.
Details of the Crash
The incident occurred in July 2024 when Love failed to properly secure a 30,000-pound bulldozer on his flatbed while navigating a right-hand curve. The bulldozer toppled onto a GMC pickup carrying the Hendricksons, crushing the vehicle’s passenger compartment and killing Richard and Sally Hendrickson. Two other passengers sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Love was found guilty in July 2025. His sentence included:
- 1 to 15 years for aggravated assault
- 364 days each for two negligent homicide charges
- Up to 5 years for one count of obstruction of justice
- 364 days for another obstruction of justice charge for lying about the bulldozer’s securement
During sentencing, Love admitted, “If I could take it back, I would. I think about it every single day. I dream about it every single night. I screwed up. I admit it.”
Investigation Findings
Investigators and prosecutors reported multiple safety violations:
- The bulldozer was improperly chained, with only one hook at the front and a single chain on the back and middle.
- Surveillance video showed Love had lied about using six restraints and attempted to adjust chains post-crash to give the appearance of proper securement.
- Authorities said Love knowingly transported an unstable, heavy load on a metal flatbed.
Victim Statements
Julie Hendrickson, wife of Richard Hendrickson, spoke at the sentencing: “I miss him every day. We had so many plans to do so much together.” The family also suffered injuries in the crash.
