Pedestrian critically injured in DUI hit-and-run in downtown Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 20, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A man was critically injured early Saturday morning after being hit by a suspected DUI driver in downtown Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City Police Sgt. John Ashdown told Gephardt Daily the victim was walking near 300 South 300 West about 2 a.m. when he was struck by a white passenger vehicle.

The driver fled the scene, Ashdown said, before stopping a few blocks away near 400 South and 600 West. Officers arriving on scene said the vehicle had heavy damage to its front end, including a shattered windshield.

Police also came across the car’s driver, who they say was obviously impaired. A search of the vehicle also turned up what appeared to be a bottle of alcohol.

Witnesses helped police ID both the driver and the vehicle. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on charges of driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol and leaving the scene of an accident.

The injured pedestrian was rushed to a local trauma unit for treatment.

Investigators on scene told Gephardt Daily it was unclear if the victim was in the crosswalk at the time of the accident.

Police have yet to release the names of the victim and the driver.

Gephardt Daily will update this story as more information becomes available.