EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah — An intense courtroom scene unfolded as Robert Ratliff recalled rushing to the Cedar Valley Stables on the night of May 2, 2022, after receiving the tragic news that his 3-year-old son, Odin Ratliff, had been killed. Overcome by urgency, Ratliff disregarded an officer setting up a roadblock at the scene, scaling a fence to find his wife amidst the chaos of the fatal accident.
The catastrophe occurred when Kent Cody Barlow, allegedly driving at an exceedingly high speed, lost control and crashed his car into the stables, causing substantial destruction. The accident not only demolished several horse stalls but tragically resulted in the deaths of Odin and his friend, Hunter Jackson, also 3 years old.
During the court proceedings, distressing details emerged about the speed of Barlow’s vehicle moments before the crash. Digital forensics expert Travis Ashdown testified that data pulled from GPS locations indicated the car was traveling over 120 mph as it approached the fateful intersection leading into Cedar Valley Stables.
Further testimony by Utah County Sheriff’s Detective Jake Hall painted a vivid picture of the aftermath, describing how the force of the crash shattered the vinyl fence surrounding the stables, littering the road with debris and leaving the vehicle dramatically mangled.
The court also heard from Brent Davis, assistant medical examiner for Utah, who delivered his medical assessment of the boys’ injuries. Despite the violent impact described, the exact cause of the injuries remained a subject of debate in court. Davis identified significant trauma consistent with a high-force impact, a typical hallmark of severe automobile accidents.
Challenging this view, Lt. Chris Chambers of the Provo Police argued that the injuries could have been inflicted by falling debris rather than the car itself. This alternative possibility was based on his reconstruction of the accident scene and the absence of common signs that are typically observed in pedestrian accidents.
Amidst the legal battle, the emotional toll on the families of the young victims was palpable. Family members were visibly distressed as the discussion turned to the physical evidence and the graphic nature of the injuries sustained by Odin and Hunter.
Prosecutors also presented evidence of Barlow’s condition at the time of the crash, citing a toxicology report that revealed a high concentration of methamphetamine in his system. Nghia Nguyen, a forensic toxicologist, suggested that such a level could induce hallucinations and risky behavior.
Further complicating the case, evidence of Barlow’s drug use was found at the scene, including a glass pipe with his DNA, confirmed by testimony from Samantha Hammond, a forensic scientist with the Utah Department of Public Safety.
The community of Eagle Mountain has been left reeling from the incident, with many residents expressing their grief and disbelief over the violent intrusion that tore through what had been a peaceful setting. The trial, poised to hear from defense witnesses in the following days, continues to grip those seeking justice for Odin and Hunter, their lives cut tragically short in a senseless act of recklessness.