Utah
'He passed as a hero saving her': Family reflects on life of Utah man who died saving girlfriend from frozen lake
WEST VALLEY CITY — The family of the 20-year-old deputy who died saving a young woman after they fell through ice at a Tooele County reservoir is speaking for the first time.
The sisters and mother of Emaloni Lutui said his actions were the ultimate act of love because the woman he saved was his girlfriend.
“The woman he saved, died for, was his girlfriend and we love her for loving him,” said Hinalei Fihaki, Lutui’s sister. “In the accident, we just know that she fell and he just wanted to make sure she got out of there, which he did, he just unfortunately didn’t make it out himself.”
On Monday, authorities said the couple was out for a hike at Settlement Canyon Reservoir when they fell through the ice around 7 p.m.
Knowing they had little time, Lutui pushed his girlfriend out then slipped under the icy water, and never resurfaced. His body was recovered a few hours later by search and rescue teams around 11:20 p.m.
Man who died saving woman from icy reservoir was a Salt Lake County deputy
“We know how much he loved her. He would always talk about her to us, so we want to honor and respect the way that this all happened even though it’s not something that we ever wanted or imagined,” Fihaki said. “He passed as a hero saving her.”
Family members are not releasing his girlfriend’s name to respect her privacy during this difficult time.
Lutui’s family was not surprised to learn of his heroic actions. They said he lived a life of service.
“He was really the glue to keeping us all together. As his (older) sisters, we were supposed to be his keepers, but I feel like he was really our keeper,” Fihaki said.
From childhood, family members said Lutui, known affectionately as “Loni,” was always interested in helping others. Lutui’s mother, Maopa Tonga, said his elementary school in Portland, Oregon, had a plaque made for him because of his service to his classmates and teachers.
In high school, he became interested in public service when he joined JROTC. After graduating from Taylorsville High School he joined the Marine Corps. Unfortunately, pandemic restrictions and illness kept him from moving forward shortly after enlisting. His family said he was honorably discharged.
However, Lutui’s desire for a life in public service persevered and his family said he found his true passion closer to home.
“He’s always been… determined,” Tonga said. “He still wanted to be able to serve.”
Lutui graduated from the sheriff’s academy just a few weeks before his death. He joined the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office and was continuing his training in the county jail, according to Sheriff Rosie Rivera.
Lutui’s greatest love was his family. Though he was the fourth of six siblings, his three sisters said he was more like a big brother who took an interest in their lives and was always checking on them.
“He really set the tone for our little brother. As sisters, we would love to find someone for ourselves like him one day. We are really incredibly proud of him,” Fihaki said.
Lutui’s sisters say he was thrilled when he became a father two years ago. Though his relationship with his son’s mother didn’t work out, they remained close friends, and Lutui was a devoted father.
“He truly lived in his purpose which was service,” said Litia Fihaki, Lutui’s oldest sister. “He was super engaged with each and every one of us. He would always call and ask if we needed anything.”
Lutui’s family is clinging to their faith as they grieve his loss.
“I told my girls Loni would want us to do things with love,” said Tonga. “I’m heartbroken but I’m at peace. I’m at peace knowing he’s watching us and he’s at a better place.”
“I think God wanted him to come back home, maybe it was his time to go.” Tonga continued.
Lutui’s family also expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support and the efforts of search and rescue teams, including the Tooele City Police Department.
“We thank them for helping us ensure he can have a proper burial,” Hinalei Fihaki said.
A GoFundMe* has been set up to assist with funeral expenses.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
Utah
Golden Knights vs. Mammoth Game 1 prediction: NHL odds, picks, best bets for Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Utah Mammoth is going to be a trendy underdog pick in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Not only does Utah have the novelty of this being its first-ever appearance in the postseason going for it, but the Mammoth tick plenty of other boxes that punters look for in a dark horse. They’re fast, dynamic, and create plenty of quality scoring chances.
The only problem is that they are running into the Vegas Golden Knights, arguably the best defensive team in the Western Conference, in Round 1.
Vegas is a -170 favorite to win the series, and it is -152 to win Game 1 on Sunday night.
Mammoth vs. Golden Knights odds, prediction
The Golden Knights had a weird season. Vegas started hot, took its foot off the pedal, and struggled to regain its form down the stretch. That led to a surprising coaching switch late in the campaign, but the move paid immediate dividends as John Tortorella led the Knights to a 7-0-1 record in his eight games behind the bench.
It should be noted that Tortorella benefited from an easy schedule since taking over in Vegas, but it’s hard to deny that the team looks sparked with a new voice in their ear.
What’s especially encouraging for Vegas is that its most glaring weakness, the play of goaltender Carter Hart, has started to trend in the right direction at the exact right time.
And Vegas is so good in its own zone that Hart doesn’t need to stand on his head to get the team over the line against Utah. If he’s just average, the Knights will stand a chance, especially since Utah’s goaltending situation is just as much of a question mark.
Betting on the NHL?
Outside of Vejmelka outplaying Hart, the Mammoth will also need to get this series on their terms if they want to pull the upset. Utah grades out as a slightly above-average defensive outfit, but its strength is up front with dynamic playmakers like Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller, plus sharp-shooter Dylan Guenther.
For those stars to have an impact, the Mammoth will need to get Vegas to open up and engage in a back-and-forth style. I just don’t see that happening with a team that was so disciplined in its own zone all season. The Knights led the NHL in expected goals against and high-danger chances conceded at 5-on-5, which shouldn’t be a shocker given the personnel in Sin City.
Not only does Vegas boast a deep blueline, but forwards Mitch Marner and Mark Stone are regarded as two of the best defensive minds in the entire sport.
Perhaps Utah can blitz Vegas and pull the upset, but I’d need a bigger number to go against the experienced, defensively savvy Knights in a best-of-7.
And if you’re looking for a play with more upside, have a good look at Vegas to pull off the sweep at 12/1.
The Play: Vegas moneyline (-152) | Vegas to sweep the series (12/1, FanDuel)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
KANOSH, Utah — The United States Geological Survey recorded multiple earthquakes near Kanosh Sunday morning, each of them having an average magnitude of 3.0.
The first earthquake, magnitude 3.0, was detected just after 12:30 a.m., with the epicenter located half a mile south of Kanarraville.
The second quake, magnitude 3.2, was detected around 5:45 a.m., with the epicenter nearly five miles south-southwest of Kanosh. This was followed by two more quakes in the same area, a magnitude 2.5 quake coming in around 6:35 a.m., followed by a third around 7:45 a.m, which measured at magnitude 3.3.
This has since been followed by another quake, measuring at magnitude 3.7, being detected around 8:45 a.m. The geographic location in the USGS report places the epicenter approximately over two miles south of the Dry Wash Trail, about six miles south-southwest of Kanosh.
FOX 13 News previously spoke with researchers at University of Utah, who said that earthquake swarms are relatively common. A study published in 2023 posits that swarms may be triggered by geothermal activity. The findings came after a series of seismic swarms were detected in central Utah, within the vicinity of three geothermal power plants.
The study also says that the swarms fall into a different category than aftershocks that typically follow large quakes, such as the magnitude 5.7 earthquake that hit the Wasatch Fault back in 2020.
Utah
Embattled Utah Rep. Trevor Lee loses county GOP convention — but wins enough support to make primary
Earlier in the week, House Speaker Mike Schultz said lawmakers asked the attorney general to investigate allegations of fraud and bribery against Lee.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, running for reelection, addresses delegates during the Davis County Republican Party nominating convention at Syracuse High School on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
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