Spanish Fork, Utah – An 80-year-old man is facing felony charges after allegedly hitting and killing 9-year-old Dalton Gibbs, who was riding his bicycle home from school in April. Authorities say the man, George Parker Hunter, drove away from the scene without realizing the child was trapped under his truck.
Hunter has now been charged with:
Second-degree felony manslaughter, and
Third-degree felony leaving the scene of an accident involving death
The charges come months after the April 25 incident, and despite Dalton’s parents expressing forgiveness and opposing criminal prosecution.
What Happened on April 25
Court documents reveal that Hunter was driving his white pickup truck through an intersection in Pleasant Grove when he allegedly struck Dalton and dragged him nearly 50 feet. Multiple witnesses attempted to alert Hunter—some reportedly waving and shouting—but say he did not stop. Instead, he allegedly sped up and continued driving.
Dalton was eventually freed from under the vehicle, but his bike remained stuck. Witnesses say Hunter still drove away from the scene.
Hunter was later found at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds nearby. When questioned by police, he gave conflicting details:
He said he saw a bicycle under another vehicle and thought someone was waving him away, not down.
He later admitted to hearing a “screeching” noise and noticing a bicycle in his rearview mirror.
At that point, he got out, moved the bike to the sidewalk, waited a few minutes, and left the scene again.
An officer reportedly overheard Hunter say, “I knew I hit a bicycle, but I didn’t think there was a kid on it.”
Despite the tragic consequences, police confirmed Hunter had a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash. Pleasant Grove Police Captain Britt Smith described him as an elderly man with diminished faculties, raising concerns about senior driving safety.
Family of Victim Urges Compassion
Dalton’s parents, Tyler and Kim Gibbs, have been openly compassionate toward Hunter, stating they do not support criminal punishment in this case.
“We know he didn’t intend to do this,” Kim Gibbs told NBC affiliate KSL.
The Gibbs family met privately with Hunter and expressed forgiveness. In a public statement after charges were filed, the family said:
“This tragedy has changed our lives, his included. We know that he is deeply remorseful. We don’t desire that he or his family should endure additional punishment beyond what they’ve already experienced.”
They emphasized their belief in restorative justice, stating that incarceration won’t bring good, and encouraged exploring other options to maintain public safety without tearing families apart.
“To be clear, we are not the ones pressing charges,” the family clarified, noting the County Attorney’s Office made the decision independently.
Legal Proceedings Moving Forward
Despite the family’s opposition to prosecution, the Utah County Attorney’s Office is moving ahead with the case. As of Tuesday, Hunter was not listed on the county inmate roster, and it’s unclear when he will next appear in court.
Key Facts of the Case
| Name | George Parker Hunter |
|---|---|
| Age | 80 |
| Victim | Dalton Gibbs, 9 years old |
| Date of Incident | April 25, 2025 |
| Location | Pleasant Grove, Utah |
| Charges Filed | 2nd-degree manslaughter, 3rd-degree leaving scene of fatal accident |
| Family’s Position | Opposed to charges; promotes forgiveness and restorative justice |
| Current Custody Status | Not in jail as of Tuesday |
An 80-year-old Utah man is facing felony charges after fatally running over a 9-year-old boy on a bicycle and allegedly fleeing the scene. While authorities continue to investigate and pursue legal action, the boy’s family is calling for compassion, not punishment, saying they believe the crash was a tragic accident, not a criminal act. The case now raises important questions about elderly driving, accountability, and justice in situations where intent is not clear-cut.
