Girl, 17, chased by two men, murdered over deranged misunderstanding

Tragic Incident of a Young Girl’s Life Lost in a Misunderstanding

A heartbreaking story unfolded near Cedar City, Utah, where a young girl’s life was tragically cut short. KayLee Dutton, a vibrant 17-year-old, met an untimely death in a terrible incident spurred by a misunderstanding.

KayLee was driving along a quiet road when two men, both under the influence, began to chase her. The men, paranoid and strung out on drugs, mistakenly believed KayLee was following them. This bizarre assumption led to a sequence of escalating aggression.

An Innocent Life Taken

The events took a chilling turn late on a Friday night. KayLee was driving a red pickup truck when Ethan Galloway, aged 23, opened fire. He mercilessly shot KayLee’s vehicle 12 times. Sadly, one of the bullets struck her, causing her to crash into a fence.

Despite the quick response from first responders, KayLee didn’t survive the attack and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Cedar City Hospital.

Two Men Arrested and Charged

The aftermath of the tragedy saw Ethan Galloway alongside Michael Edward Hess-Witucki, both 23, being apprehended. They faced charges of second-degree murder, in addition to being charged for firearm and drug offenses.

Iron County Sheriff Ken Carpenter released details stating the two men confessed to their part in the fatal incident. Ethan even wrote an apology letter to KayLee’s family, detailing why he mistakenly targeted the young girl.

Galloway and Hess-Witucki’s story speaks to misplaced assumptions. They thought they saw KayLee’s car lurking in their neighborhood, an error that set off a deadly chase.

An Agonizing Loss for a Loving Family

KayLee’s family, particularly her mother Kimberlee, expressed profound grief over the loss. KayLee was a beloved daughter and full of potential as a student at Parowan High School. The family is struggling to comprehend how such a misunderstanding could have led to such a tragic consequence.

Kimberlee shared her heartache by posting cherished memories with KayLee online, revealing the immense void her daughter’s passing has left.

The Chilling Details of the Pursuit

On that fated night, KayLee, accompanied by an 18-year-old friend, noticed a pickup truck tailing them aggressively. The black 2018 Chevrolet Silverado with its headlights flashing relentlessly pursued them for about six miles.

As they attempted to evade, the pickup driven by Hess-Witucki eventually caught up. Galloway then recklessly fired the shots that ended KayLee’s life, leaving her friend with a leg injury.

Her friend managed to contact authorities for help, resulting in a SWAT team quickly apprehending the suspects the next day outside their residence.

Quest for Justice

As the investigation unfolded, two other individuals, Matthew Sorber-Petrie, aged 22, and Aldric Felipe, 21, were also detained. They faced charges related to obstruction, firearm, and drug crimes.

Sorber-Petrie was found to have supplied Galloway with the weapon, fully aware it would be used against who they mistakenly believed were their stalkers. Felipe, though not present, knew of the plan and its tragic outcome.

Community’s Support in Difficult Times

The community is offering their support to KayLee’s family. The Sheriff expressed his condolences, acknowledging that these girls were merely enjoying their youth when their lives were irrevocably altered by violence.

The wrenching crime has left the town in mourning, rallying together in memory of KayLee and fervently hoping for justice to take its rightful course.

Legal Proceedings and Moving Forward

All involved suspects are held without bail, facing serious charges that include murder and multiple counts of firing a weapon resulting in severe injury.

For KayLee’s loved ones, this is a journey of healing, holding onto hope that the law delivers the justice KayLee deserves. The community stands by them, offering solace and strength during such a challenging time.