Two PHS grads killed in Easter Day crash

PRESCOTT – A young Prescott couple killed in an Easter Day car crash in Burnsville, Minn. will not be forgotten by the many family and friends who packed Prescott High School’s gymnasium Sunday to mourn their loss.

Dalton Lee Ford and Tayler Nicole Garza, both 22 and Prescott High School graduates, died of multiple blunt force injuries as a result of a crash at 10:30 a.m. April 4 at County Road 42 and Newton Avenue, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office.

According to the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, Ford’s SUV was “hit in the passenger side by one of two racing cars in the east-bound lanes of the divided highway.” The Friday news release also states Ford’s vehicle, which had been headed west, was making a left turn to go south on Nelson Avenue. OTS said Ford was not wearing a seat belt.

The Burnsville Police Department reported that two 17-year-olds were also injured in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Ford graduated from PHS in 2017 and earned an associate’s degree in automobile technology from Dunwoody College, his obituary states. He worked at Luther White Bear Acura as an automobile technician. He also worked as a cook at Vino in the Valley in rural Maiden Rock, where the love of his life, Garza,

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Aerial photo courtesy of Kurt Radke also bartended. They were a beloved part of the Vino family, as evidenced by the outpouring of grief on Vino’s social media.

“Beautiful young people with so much promise ahead,” the Vino Facebook page reads. “They easily became great friends to our entire Vino Family.”

According to his obituary, Ford was a successful youth wrestler and percussionist. Most importantly, he was a “much-loved son, brother, grandson, boyfriend, nephew, cousin and friend.” He is the son of James and Veronica (Lee) Ford.

He was also proud of his Nissan 370z – 40th Anniversary Edition, according to the obituary. He and Garza enjoyed camping, hiking, traveling and car club adventures together. They also loved trying new restaurants and different foods. Both were animal lovers as well.

Garza also graduated from PHS in 2017. She attended UW-Stevens Point for one year, then began attending Chippewa Valley Technical College to pursue a nursing degree, according to her obituary. Described as a hard worker, she was a team lead at the Woodbury, Minn., Target. She previously worked as a certified nursing assistant at Kinnic Health and Rehab in River Falls.

Garza especially loved horses, taking part in horse camps through her childhood, her obituary reads. She played the trumpet throughout school and loved visiting the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation and Ojibwe village, Waswagoning, where she learned about Ojibwe history and culture.

“Her heart was happiest when she was with her family, hanging out with her friends, and spending time with the love of her life, Dalton Ford,” her obituary reads.

She is the daughter of Brandon and Kristen Garza.

A candlelight vigil and moment of silence took place Friday, April 8 at Laney Field in Prescott. A visitation took place Sunday, April 11 at PHS, followed by a joint funeral service with Pastor Steve Meyer officiating. Mourners gathered at a reception at The Old Ptacek’s Event Center, following the funeral.

For those wishing to honor Garza, memorials can be directed to the PHS – Lac du Flambeau Scholarship.

Photo by Bruce Karnick.

Photo by Bruce Karnick.

Friends and family of Dalton Ford and Tayler Garza fill the Prescott School District track Friday, April 9 at Laney Field to honor and remember the couple killed in an Easter Day car crash in Burnsville, Minn.

As part of the candlelight vigil and remembrance of Tayler Garza and Dalton Ford, held Friday, April 9 at Laney Field in Prescott, friends and family released sky lanterns, a beautiful display to see unfold.

Reflecting in somber silence before he speaks is Dan Roth, a close friend and neighbor to Dalton Ford and his girlfriend, Tayler Garza.