Judge Upheld License Revocation for Utah Transport Firm
The ruling maintains civil penalties against Safe and Sound Services following three client fatalities.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Accidents
A Utah judge has affirmed the state's decision to revoke the operating license of Safe and Sound Services. The ruling also maintains $31,100 in civil penalties against the Salt Lake City transport company.
Why it matters
The decision clarifies that companies bear non-delegable duty for employee conduct, holding firms liable even when management does not authorize specific actions. This precedent emphasizes the state's power to penalize entities for severe lapses in client safety.
A Utah administrative judge finalized the revocation of the company license and $31,100 in civil penalties. The company now faces a 30-day window to seek further judicial review.
The players
Utah Department of Health and Human Services
This state agency is responsible for overseeing public health, human services, and the licensing of residential care and transport providers.
Isaiah Pulu
He is the former employee of Safe and Sound Services currently facing three counts of murder related to the deaths of clients.
Safe and Sound Services
This company operated as a transport and care provider for vulnerable clients in the Salt Lake City area.
The details
The judge applied a non-delegable duty standard, ruling the firm responsible for the conduct of employee Isaiah Pulu, who now faces three counts of murder. The state declined to offer a correction plan after three clients died from carbon monoxide poisoning in an employee garage.
Timeline
January 2026: Isaiah Pulu received a written warning for leaving clients unsupervised.
March 2026: The Utah Department of Health and Human Services revoked the company license.
October 5, 2026: The administrative judge issued the final ruling.
Next 30 days: The firm has until early November to request a further review.
Legal Context
This case illustrates the enforcement of strict liability standards for service providers within the state. It follows the non-delegable duty doctrine to ensure organizations remain accountable for the safety protocols of their personnel.
The revocation effectively shuts down a transport provider that had been flagged for prior compliance failures. Local residents and families of those requiring assisted transport should verify the current licensing status of any private care services they utilize.
The takeaway
Companies operating in high-stakes industries are legally responsible for maintaining strict oversight of all employee activities. Failure to manage personnel behavior, especially regarding the safety of vulnerable populations, can lead to permanent loss of licensure.
What happens next
Safe and Sound Services has 30 days from October 5, 2026, to file for an agency or judicial review of the administrative ruling.
Further reading
For more information on regional safety oversight, visit Salt Lake City Accidents.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KJZZ.
