Nthenya Maingi Patrick, who was charged with an Automobile Homicide and Negligent Use of Handheld Wireless Device in September 2020, was extradited from Europe earlier this year, and faced trial last week on November 16, 2023.
Patrick was involved in an automobile incident in 2020 wherein she crossed a double-yellow line in an attempt to pass a semi-truck, and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle, causing the death of the passenger and the severe injury of the other driver. Patrick had traveled to Europe since, necessitating her extradition back to Kane County to face charges.
In the initial allegations, the court charged Patrick with “operat[ing] a moving motor vehicle in a negligent manner while using a handheld wireless communication device … causing the death of another person,” and “in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” According to the statement of probable cause from Utah Highway Patrol’s Zed Broadhead, “While speeding, [Patrick] passed a first vehicle in a no passing zone or towards the end of a passing zone. She then attempted to pass a semitruck in a no passing zone while approaching the crest of a hill and struck another vehicle in the on-coming lane. This resulted in the death of a passenger and the serious bodily injury of the driver of the on-coming vehicle.”
Patrick was found guilty of a third-degree felony in Kane County’s Sixth District Court on November 16, and is currently in the custody of the Kane County Jail. The sentence was up to five years in prison, along with the payment of restitution to the families of those injured in the crash and a series of fines. Once the sentence is served, the crime may be cause for Patrick’s deportation to her home country of Kenya and a potential ban from traveling to the United States again, depending on the actions of the federal courts. Due to the previous extradition process necessary to try Patrick, federal courts are likely to continue to be involved.
