A 44-year-old woman from California faces felony murder charges in Utah for a highway collision that killed a 66-year-old passenger. On October 20, prosecutors formally charged Christine Chao with automobile homicide, a second-degree felony, over a crash that occurred on June 12 near Levan. The charge marks a formal step in a case that has drawn national attention due to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The crash unfolded on Interstate 15, where traffic was slowed for a construction zone. Chao’s vehicle struck a white sedan, which then slammed into an SUV ahead, sending all three vehicles off the road. Scott LaVar Lichfield, a passenger in the sedan, suffered severe head injuries. He was airlifted to a hospital but ultimately succumbed to his wounds.
Investigators obtained a warrant to search Chao’s phone and found she had accessed a pornography website less than two minutes before the crash. Responding officers noted the absence of any brake marks on the road, suggesting Chao did not attempt to slow down. This detail has become central to the prosecution’s case.
Lichfield’s family remembered him as a devoted husband, father, and community volunteer. His obituary noted his service as a Sunday School teacher and his love for local children. The family’s grief is compounded by the circumstances of his death, which they believe were preventable.
The case is now in the legal proceedings stage, where the evidence will be scrutinized. A charge does not equate to a guilty verdict, but the specifics of Chao’s actions in the minutes before the crash will likely shape the jury’s perception. The next court date is scheduled for early 2027, where preliminary hearings will test the strength of the state’s case.