FARMINGTON, Utah, June 9, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) -- The Utah Highway Patrol responded to a reported accident late Sunday night involving a man who allegedly struck another vehicle while driving north in a southbound lane of Interstate 15.
The accused driver, 69-year-old Hidajet Fajic, was identified by his Utah driver license. He was observed by the UHP officer to smell of alcohol, and have glossy, bloodshot eyes, which is a sign of intoxication, his arrest document says.
"I attempted to run Fajic through SFSTs (Standardized Field Sobriety Tests) using Google Translate to communicate in Croatian," the officer's statement says.
"Despite explaining multiple times, Fajic was unable to follow my instructions on HGN (Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, a field sobriety test), and kept looking away. I was able to get a partial PBT (Preliminary Breath Test), which showed positive for alcohol.
"Based on the totality of circumstances, I determined that Fajic was impaired and placed him under arrest for DUI at approximately 2345 hours."
Fajic was searched and placed in the officer's patrol car. Two occupants of the other vehicle reported injuries, and were checked by medical personnel on the scene.
"I transported Fajic to Layton IHC, where he was cleared by medical staff. Fajic submitted to a blood test, and was transported to the Davis County jail for questioning. Post (translated) Miranda, Fajic "explained he had been driving with nobody else in the vehicle. He also admitted to having three drinks of whiskey."
Fajic was arrested for investigation of the alleged crimes of:
- Two counts of negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury, a class A misdemeanor
- Driving under the influence, wrong way on the highway, a class A misdemeanor
- Driving on the wrong side of the roadway, an infraction
He was released on conditions including he return for any court date to be set.
