Ethan Carter is a college sophomore at UC Davis, who lives in the town of Caliente, Nevada. He is the love interest of Patty, and falls in love with her. He cares for her, protects her, understands her, talks to her, and ultimately makes love to her, getting her pregnant. When Ethan discovers that Patty's father continues to be abusive, he drives out to get Patty. But they are chased by the police, and wreck their car in a mountain pass. The wreck causes Ethan to be killed, as well as Patty to suffer a miscarriage.
