Man arrested in traffic-crash death of 3-year-old Murray boy

A 45-year-old man has been booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of automobile homicide after police said he caused a chain-reaction crash Saturday that killed a 3-year-old Murray boy.

Police said Manuel de Jesus Guinea, 45, of Kearns, was westbound at a high rate of speed on 5400 South near 1300 West about 8:30 p.m. Saturday when he crashed into the back of a Subaru Legacy, driven by a 36-year-old man. A witness said that Guinea was traveling about 70 mph, according to a probable cause statement.

The impact caused a chain-reaction crash that also involved a Dodge Caravan and a Ford Expedition, both driven by 28-year-old women, and a Volvo S40, driven by a 33-year-old woman.

Killed in the crash was Zane Thurber, 3, from Murray, who was riding restrained in the Subaru, police said. The driver of the Subaru was transported to Intermountain Medical Center where he was listed in fair condition Sunday. A 6-year-old boy inside the Subaru was also transported to Primary Children's Hospital where he was listed in fair condition Sunday.

No one else was injured.

After the crash, police said Guinea exited his car and tried to blend in with all the witnesses that had stopped to help. One witness held him until police could arrive.

Police said they suspect alcohol was a factor in the crash and arrested Guinea on suspicion of automobile homicide and driving under the influence.

Zane's family set up a webpage to help pay for the funeral, medical costs and other expenses. As of 11 p.m. Sunday, the family had received about $10,000 of the $50,000 goal.

jstecklein@sltrib.com

Twitter @sltribjanelle