SANDY, Utah, Jan. 16, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — A pedestrian struck by a suspected drunken driver in Sandy on Thursday evening has died, police confirmed, and prosecutors are expected to seek enhanced charges.
The crash happened about 6:57 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, near 1000 East 11000 South, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in 3rd District Court.
Officers arrived to find a pedestrian lying in the roadway and the driver seated inside a tan Ford Escape stopped nearby with hazard lights activated, the affidavit states.
The driver, identified in court documents as Zoe Carisa Blankenstein, 55, told officers she had struck a person with her vehicle, according to the affidavit. She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
In a follow-up interview Friday, Sandy police Sgt. Michael Olson confirmed to Gephardt Daily the pedestrian later died.
“The victim did pass away late last night or early this morning,” Olson said. He indicated the original booking charges are expected to be amended and enhanced as investigators work with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
The pedestrian has been identified as 40-year-old Sandy resident, Josh Perry.
Blankenstein was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail early Friday morning, records show. The case remains under investigation.
