Ogden, UT — A tragic series of hit-and-run crashes left one man dead and two others injured in Ogden on Friday evening. The incident, which involved a suspected DUI driver, occurred when a silver Dodge Ram truck struck several vehicles, culminating in a fatal accident at the intersection of 20th Street and Harrison Boulevard.
James Wood, 64, of Ogden, was walking his dog at the intersection when the truck allegedly driven by 26-year-old Tyson Bryce Treasure collided with a car stopped at the intersection. The force of the crash pushed the car into the crosswalk, where Wood was struck. Wood was rushed to McKay-Dee Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Wood’s family expressed their grief in the wake of his death. His brother, Jack Wood, told the Standard-Examiner that James was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jack Wood described his brother as a “hero,” someone who had worked tirelessly to overcome personal challenges and who had always put his family first. James Wood was known for his mechanical skills and worked repairing heavy machinery, in addition to being a dedicated caregiver for his wife, who is disabled.
“He was her main caretaker, her world, her rock, her everything,” Jack Wood said. “His three children, all married, have children themselves – he was deeply involved in their lives, especially with his grandchildren, whom he adored.”
The suspect, Tyson Bryce Treasure, had reportedly gone to Ogden Regional Medical Center earlier in the afternoon. According to an affidavit, Treasure arrived at the hospital at 5:12 p.m. under the influence of alcohol but refused treatment. He later fled the hospital in the Dodge Ram truck, where he was allegedly involved in at least one crash in the parking lot. Treasure continued driving erratically, striking additional vehicles at the intersections of 42nd and Harrison and 12th and Harrison before being apprehended by police.
Treasure was arrested by the Ogden City Police Department and booked into the Weber County Jail on several charges, including a second-degree felony count of automobile homicide and a class-B misdemeanor for driving under the influence.
In the wake of the tragedy, Jack Wood expressed sympathy for Treasure, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation for both families. “We feel bad for the guy because we know that was probably the worst day of his life,” he said. “But at this point, we’re all coming together as a family to support and love each other.”
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist the Wood family with funeral expenses. Jack Wood thanked the community for their generous outpouring of support. “We’ve already seen a lot of wonderful, gracious, generous people responding. It’s really been a major help right now,” he said.
James Wood’s death has left a profound impact on his family and the Ogden community. Funeral arrangements will be posted on the GoFundMe page.