SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah, April 29, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) —Â An inexperienced driver lost control of her vehicle late Saturday night and collided with a Texaco station gas pump.
Sgt. Darren Carr, South Salt Lake Police Department, told Gephardt Daily the woman — an adult who is from Somalia — has a learner’s permit, but didn’t have a licensed driver in the vehicle with her.
She was making a left turn when she lost control of her Toyota Sienna minivan and crashed into a gas pump at 3984 S. 300 East, ripping the pump off the island.
Carr said after the minivan hit the pump, it kept going until it stopped at a chain link fence.
“The pumps have an automatic shut-off, just for situations like this,” he said. “But there was still some amount of gas, and it probably sparked as it was sort of dragging along.”
South Salt Lake Fire Department Battalion Chief Blaine Daimaru said he wasn’t sure exactly how the fire started, but the vehicle’s engine compartment was ablaze when fire crews arrived.
“It took 10 to 15 minutes at the most to get the fire under control,” Daimaru said. “The car was a total loss, and another car nearby got heat damage.”
The police took over the investigation because the fire was the result of an accident.
Sgt. Carr said the woman was able to quickly get out of the minivan, and no one was injured.
She was cited for the learner’s permit violation and for a “negligent collision.”
Carr said there was no suspicion of impairment.
