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Tow truck operator sentenced in Ogden Canyon crash that killed 2.The tow truck operator involved in a fatal crash on state Route 39 in Weber County in the summer of 2024 was sentenced Friday in 2nd District Court in Ogden.Michael John Love, 53, of North Ogden, appeared for sentencing after being convicted of five charges stemming from the crash in Ogden Canyon nearly two years ago.In March, a jury found Love guilty on all charges, namely second-degree felony aggravated assault, third-degree felony obstruction of justice and two counts of negligent homicide, along with an additional misdemeanor obstruction charge.In Ogden Canyon on July 6, 2024, a mini bulldozer being hauled by Love reportedly broke loose and crushed an oncoming GMC pickup truck driven by 57-year-old Richard Hendrickson, of Uintah, who was traveling with his wife and three children.Richard Hendrickson and his 16-year-old daughter Sally were killed in the crash.His wife Julie and two other children were injured.Investigators determined the bulldozer, which weighed about 32,000 pounds, was improperly secured and exceeded the truck’s weight capacity by more than 4,000 pounds.Authorities say it was held in place by inadequate restraints, allowing it to slide off the flatbed while the truck navigated a curve, as outlined in a previous report.Officials also alleged the driver later moved chains at the scene and had given conflicting statements about how the load had been secured.After the monthslong investigation, Love was arrested and charged in October 2024.In March of this year, he was found guilty on all counts by a jury following a five-day trial in Ogden.In April, the defense filed a motion to arrest judgment – a request to invalidate the verdict prior to sentencing, based on what the defense said was improper jury instructions and claimed the defendant did not get a fair trial.That motion was denied on May 27, when the court cited findings that Love acted recklessly and was aware of the substantial risk posed by the unsecured load.During Friday’s sentencing, prosecutor Branden Miles said Love had been warned multiple times about properly securing loads but failed to do so, despite years of experience.On the day of the crash, “the worst of consequences” resulted from the defendant’s actions, Miles said, adding that even after, the defendant demonstrated dishonesty and a lack of accountability.Miles also referenced a former employee who allegedly warned Love that his behavior was “going to kill somebody.” The prosecutor pointed to Love’s criminal history, which included numerous convictions, and argued that without accountability there was no assurance that similar conduct would not happen again.He asked the court to impose a prison sentence and revoke Love’s commercial driver license for life.Julie Hendrickson, wife of Richard Hendrickson and mother of Sally Hendrickson, addressed the court, describing her husband as “the love of my life” and a leader who helped many in the community, including serving as a stake president and as president and CEO of Lifetime Products, who was also a longtime sponsor of many local events across Southern Utah.“We did everything together,” she said.“I mourn and cry every single day without him.” She described her daughter Sally as “bigger than life,” an excellent student with plans to serve a church mission and attend college.“I cry for her every day,” she said.Julie Hendrickson said one of her daughters continues to undergo surgeries following critical injuries from the crash and described ongoing trauma, including fear while driving.She told the court Love had shown “no remorse” and changed his account multiple times, but said she forgave him and hoped he would live a full life.Love needs time in prison to understand the value of human life,” she said.Defense attorney Gregory Skordas argued his client was not “a remorseless monster.” That is entirely untrue, the attorney said, and in fact, during every jail visit, Skordas said he found his client crying and saying he “did a horrible, horrible thing.” His client has expressed deep remorse, Skordas said, and has spent nearly 20 months in jail.He then asked the court to sentence his client to the low end of the guideline range.Love addressed the court, saying, “I screwed up.I admit it.Please forgive me,” as he expressed regret for what happened.District Judge Craig Hall opened by speaking about the victims, describing Richard Hendrickson as a devoted family man who loved his family deeply.He was also a vibrant business owner who had a love of giving back to the community, and no matter how busy he was, the judge said, Hendrickson always made time to listen to others.He described Sally Hendrickson as kind, intelligent and a peacemaker with a “contagious energy.” The judge also noted that another daughter, Molly Hendrickson, sustained life-threatening injuries and continues to require extensive medical care.Addressing Love, Hall said there was no excuse for a licensed operator to haul such heavy equipment with inadequate restraints and noted the defendant had multiple opportunities to correct the issue, including making a stop shortly before the crash.The judge cited Love’s criminal history, which includes dozens of prior offenses, including a previous case involving failure to secure a load.Referring to the crash, Hall said that while the family was “crushed beneath your bulldozer,” Love appeared more concerned with making it look like the load had been properly secured.The defendant made a calculated attempt at self-preservation, the judge said.“As they lay dying,” Hall added.Considering the severity of the crime, the number of victims and Love’s conduct, Hall imposed the maximum sentence: one-to-15 years in the Utah State Prison for the second-degree felony and zero-to-five years for the third-degree felony.The judge also imposed three 364-day jail sentences, all to be served in prison.All of the sentences were ordered to run consecutively.