SANDY, Utah, Aug. 31, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Family members have identified a man struck by a hit-and-run driver Aug. 23 in Sandy, and subsequently run over by two more vehicles.
He is 24-year-old Jason Ross, his family says in a GoFundMe set up to help pay medical bills, the page says.
“On Friday, August 23rd, our son Jason Ross, at just 24 years old, suffered a life-changing tragedy. Jason was the victim of a hit-and-run while crossing near 8800 State Street in Sandy, Utah. He was left impaired lying in the middle of the street, where he was shockingly run over by two additional vehicles. Jason is in extreme critical condition and for much of the foreseeable future will be in the ICU,” the fundraising account says.
Sandy City Police Sgt. Greg Moffitt told Gephardt Daily first responders were dispatched to 8800 S. State St. about 1:30 a.m. on reports of an auto-pedestrian incident on Aug. 23. When police and EMTs arrived, they found a critically injured man lying in the southbound lanes of traffic.
“The man was quickly transported to a local trauma center in critical condition,” Moffitt said.
While it was determined he’d been hit by multiple vehicles, events leading up to the incident were unclear.
“Both drivers of both vehicles remained on scene and are cooperating with police. There were no signs of impairment with either driver.”
The GoFundMe account says Ross suffered multiple injuries.
“The impacts of this catastrophic accident have caused him internal bleeding with a ruptured bowel, a portion of his small intestine was removed, he lost his spleen, his kidney lacerated and lung collapsed. Both femurs are broken, his pelvis is broken with multiple fractures, his arm is broken, he also has multiple small fractures in his back, and arteries unstable. His face also sustained significant trauma and he’s lost a portion of his nose. His future is uncertain, but we’re thankful he is still with us. He’s fighting hard to stay alive.”
The account says “Jason was initially believed to be dead and without breath when he was rushed to Intermountain Hospital in Utah. Miraculously, he survived, but his life will never be the same.”
The page says Ross will need “ongoing care, support, and help with his mounting medical bills. This accident was a surprise and not something a 24 year old had prepared for. He will not be able to work anytime soon, if at all and will need financial assistance for his future.”
As in all cases, Gephardt Daily cannot guarantee funds raised will be used as stated. To view the GoFundMe page for yourself, click here.
An Aug. 28 update on the page says that the day before, Ross underwent his third surgery, this one for the complete reconstruction of his pelvis.
“He is still in a medically induced coma and is experiencing high blood pressure due to the trauma, pain, and numerous surgeries. The doctors are closely monitoring his condition. For now, we are allowing his body to heal and keeping a close watch. The plastic surgeon plans to meet later this week to discuss potential reconstruction surgeries of his face for later in the week.”
“Unfortunately, we have received very little information about the first vehicle involved in the hit-and-run. We know it is a light or silver-colored vehicle, but the authorities have not yet released an image as it’s an active investigation. The police are pursuing various leads to locate the individual responsible for the initial hit. Once any relevant information is released, we kindly ask that we share it widely. If anyone has a tip, or has information regarding this accident please contact Detective Anson at the Sandy City Police Department.”
The SCPD number is 801-568-7200.
