Mother and baby escape serious injury after truck slams into Perry home

PERRY, Box Elder County — A young mother and her 6‑month‑old baby are safe after a pickup truck barreled off U.S. 89 and crashed directly into their living room on Thursday night, nearly bringing the house down around them.

The terrifying incident unfolded about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Perry Police Chief Scott Hancey. According to Hancey, a northbound truck was reported driving erratically on northbound U.S. 89 before it struck another vehicle, veered off the roadway, went down an embankment, and ultimately slammed into the home.

According to Derek Walton, the home belongs to his son and daughter-in-law, Gavin and Brie Walton. Brie Walton was in the living room with her infant daughter when she heard a loud sound outside.

Derek Walton said Brie Walton looked out the window just in time to see the truck coming toward the house.

"She looked out the window and saw the truck coming and was able to at least stand up and start moving away from it — but it still hit and knocked her down," Derek said.

Brie Walton suffered several injuries but is expected to recover. Her baby, who was asleep in another room, was unharmed.

Crews had to shore up the structure before attempting to remove the truck, fearing the home might collapse. The impact left the side of the house destroyed and the interior exposed. Amid the debris, the couple's wedding photo still hung on the wall, a small reminder of the life they were building in their first home, purchased just two years ago.

Derek Walton said the family is shaken but grateful.

"The way it (the truck) went airborne here, if she hadn't seen it and gotten away, it could've came down and basically been on her," he said. "It was hard for me to believe that a vehicle could go over this hill right here and get into the house like that. But once I seen it and I know that they're both OK, it's a blessing."

Investigators believe alcohol was a factor. The driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Before hitting the Walton home, police said the truck hit another vehicle on the highway and drove into an embankment.

Tire marks on the property appear to vanish near the driveway slope, leading the family to believe the truck may have gone airborne before impact.

Southbound lanes of U.S. 89 were temporarily shut down but have since reopened. Perry police, Brigham City firefighters, and ambulance crews all responded.

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