S Trauntvein Family Visit

Kimberly wrote: We are going to come down Christmas Eve late morning/early afternoon. We will need to head back home around 3pm. Will that work? Then we will just stay home Christmas Day.

Childs Cousin Dies in Accident

Toll rising on deadly rural road in Utah
This year, 13 deaths have been tallied in 9 accidents on U.S. 6 
By Nicole Warburton and Jeremy Twitchell
Deseret Morning News        
Much has been said about safety improvements along U.S. 6, but this has been the worst year for fatal crashes on the 128-mile highway since 1998.    
The Utah Department of Transportation reports 13 fatalities along the route this year, most being "cross-overs," where a motorist travels into an oncoming lane of traffic. 
On Sunday, three people traveling on U.S. 6 were killed when their car crossed the center line, collided head-on with a pickup truck and burst into flames.
      
The cause of the accident has yet to be determined. Kimball K. Childs, 46, Juanita Varela Childs, 46, and their son, Mason, 8, were killed in the crash.
      
Juanita Childs was a Spanish teacher at Carbon High School for the past 13 years, said Carbon School District superintendant David Armstrong.       
Mason was a student at one of the district's elementary schools.
      Eva Bennett, 54, and Jay Bennett, 55, both of West Valley City, were in the truck that was hit head-on by the Childs' car. The Bennetts were taken to Castleview Hospital in Price with injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.       
Robert Hull, UDOT director of traffic and safety, could not give a reason for the high number of fatal crashes on U.S. 6 this year. Last year, only five fatalities occurred on the road, and the average over the past four years has been about 10.       
"The roadway has been built to the standards that are out there," he said. "Unfortunately with the nature of the road, in terms of being in a rural area, we end up getting into high-speed situations with impatient drivers, and poor decisions are made. Those conditions lend themselves in many cases to fatal crashes."
      
No crash on the road has ever been attributed to an unsafe road design, according to Hull. Since 1997, UDOT has spent $115 million to enhance the safety of the road, he said. Recent projects include the addition of center-line rumble strips, truck climbing lanes and an upgraded guardrail.       
Sunday's accident occurred in an area where center-line rumble strips were installed.       
Over the next two years, UDOT plans another $50 million in improvements to the road. Plans include the installation of overhead speed signs near the curve where a truck carrying explosives overturned in August, blowing a 70-foot deep crater into the road.       
The signs will register the speed of a vehicle, then tell motorists to slow down if they are over the speed limit. "It is intended to give the drivers information to let them know they are approaching too quickly," Hull said.       
Regardless of the improvements, Jenny Wheeler, a BYU employee originally from Ephraim, says she avoids U.S. 6 whenever possible. She and her family won't drive it during the winter.       
"If I go on 6 at all, I think it's only once or twice a year," she said.       
But for the 4,000 to 12,000 drivers who use U.S. 6 each day to commute, UDOT encourages safe and smart driving. Be patient, said UDOT spokesman Nile Easton. Don't speed or drive drowsy.       
"U.S. 6 has been a priority for the department and will continue to be a priority," he said, "but there is still a responsibility for drivers when they get behind the wheel to follow traffic laws."

Obituaries for Kimball Childs, Varela Childs and Mason Lowry Childs

This is Garth's, David's, and Richard's first cousin. For those who don't know, Garth, David and Richard are Renee Smith Childs' sons. Renee is the oldest daughter of Raymond James Smith (Myrna's grandfather). 
Thursday, December 15, 2005 
Obituary: Kimball K. Childs Price, Carbon County 
Kimball K. Childs was born August 15, 1959, to Parker and Dorothy Lowry Childs. He married the love of his life on December 31, 1992. The birth of his son Mason completed his cherished family. 
Kimball was a humble man with great faith, integrity and a thirst for knowledge. He was eager to be of service to everyone around him. 
Kimball returned to the presence of his Heavenly Father, with his son and wife, on December 11, 2005. He is survived by his mother Dorothy, brother Allen (wife Colleen), sister Debra (husband Steve), sister Diane (husband Bob), Aunt Virginia, Uncle Fred (wife Barbara) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. 
Juanita V Childs 
Juanita Varela Childs was born July 5, 1959, to Henry and Englantina Barela. She married Kimball on December 31, 1992. 
Juanita cherished her family and loved entertaining them with her vivacious personality and sense of humor. She taught Spanish at Carbon High School, she loved to teach and cherished her students and they loved her. She enjoyed decorating and photography. 
Juanita joined her Heavenly Father, with her son and husband, on December 11, 2005. She is survived by her brothers Henry Jr. (wife Vikki), Marcelino, Fausto and Frank, Aunt Pauline, adopted mom Marilyn, brother Bill and grandmother Lorraine, many nieces, nephews and cousins. 
Mason Childs 
Mason Lowry Childs was born May 11, 1997, to Kimball and Juanita Childs. 
He was a loving spirit and a special gift to his parents and family. He loved being with his grandma eating cookies, playing with his goat Daisy, drawing and working on crafts. His smile, laughter and endless enthusiasm will always be remembered. Mason and Isabelle (his best friend) had fun packing puppies, cats and other things into their wagons to get to each others' house. 
Mason returned to his Heavenly Father, with both his parents, on December 11, 2005. 
Combined Funeral Services will be held Friday, December 16, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. at the Price LDS Stake Center (150 So. 500 E., Price). A visitation will be Thursday evening from 6-8:00 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary in Price and also 1 hour prior to the service at the Church. Burial in the Orangeville City Cemetery.