SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 20, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A 59-year-old man was booked into the Salt Lake County jail after he allegedly rammed a vehicle from behind, then fled an accident scene while under the influence.
William Blake Godfrey was arrested near the accident scene shortly after midnight Saturday morning.
“There were injuries to three parties in the vehicle with one being transported and needing stitches at the hospital,” said Godfrey’s affidavit, filed by a Salt Lake City based officer of the Utah Highway Patrol. “The other two passengers had complaint of pain to their heads and chest.
“There was a fluid trail from the crash scene all the way to 1300 South off ramp. Another crash call came out at the 1300 South off ramp. Troopers showed up and found a vehicle … abandoned in the travel lane with damage to the front of the vehicle and black trace from the other vehicle as well. The driver was located several hundred yards South of his vehicle on 500 West.”
Godfrey, the man located, was the registered owner of the vehicle, the affidavit says. A THC vape pen was located in the front seat of the vehicle.
The trooper reported he spoke with Godfrey.
“I arrived and spoke to Godfrey. He admitted to being ‘cut off’ and then rammed the vehicle, watching it roll and hoping no one was wearing their seatbelts. He stated it was his people or them.
“Godfrey was also rambling making statements about many things that made no sense. He was paranoid stating he didn’t trust anyone. He had red bloodshot eyes, his pupils were not reactive to light, his muscle rigidity was tense and he was sweating.”
Godfrey said “he had been slipped something in his M&Ms and didn’t know who gave it to him,” the affidavit says.
Godfrey did poorly on a test designed to measure whether he was driving under the influence, the statement says. He then “became uncooperative” and asked for his lawyer. Godfrey “started to give a blood draw but moved and it could not be completed. While checking the other arm, he became uncooperative and stated he wasn’t going to give blood…. Godfrey kicked his shoe off toward me as I read the admonishments and refused to give the blood.”
Godfrey was jailed for investigation of:
- Aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, a second-degree felony
- Failure to remain at accident involving serious injury, a third-degree felony
- Propel substance/object at officer/employee/volunteer/provider
- Two counts of failure to remain at accident involving injury, a class A misdemeanor
- Driving under the influence, first offense in 10 years, a class B misdemeanor
- Possession of controlled substances marijuana/spice, a class B misdemeanor
- Use or possession of drug paraphernalia
- Four infractions
Godfrey was ordered held without bail.
