Wrestling Community Mourns Matthew Daines, Killed in Suspected DUI Crash
SPRINGVILLE, Utah – A Springville man is being remembered as a hero after he was killed in a crash last weekend, allegedly caused by a driver six times over the legal blood alcohol limit. Matthew Daines,25,died when his vehicle was struck by a car driven by McIntyre,who has been booked into the Utah County Jail on second-degree felony automobile homicide and multiple misdemeanor charges.
daines, a recent state champion in open freestyle wrestling, had been married for just a month and a half. His coach, Craig Miner, described Daines as “a Superman always,” and “a great man.” The two had shared dinner with Daines and his wife just days before the tragedy.
“We were talking about life and how happy they were,” Miner said. “They were looking forward to life together.”
According to State representative Tyler Clancy, a former wrestler and current law enforcement officer, Daines “sacrificed his own life to protect his wife” during the collision.The loss has deeply impacted the wrestling community. Miner, who coached Daines for years, said his former team - who refer to themselves as “a band of brothers” – were “devastated” by the news.
The incident has also renewed focus on Utah’s DUI statistics. representative Steve Eliason noted nearly 12,000 DUI arrests were made in the state last year, with 75% being first-time offenders. Lawmakers are currently exploring measures to combat DUI-related tragedies, including enhanced warning labels on alcohol, increased funding for enforcement, and a recently passed law holding drivers accountable for child support if they kill a parent in a DUI crash.
A makeshift memorial has sprung up at the crash site, adorned with flowers and a Superman cape. Daines’ family has released a statement requesting privacy and discouraging retribution.
those wishing to support Daines’ family can contribute to a GoFundMe established in his memory: