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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 7, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — The victim of an early morning auto-pedestrian accident in downtown Salt Lake City has died from his injuries.
Police at the scene of the accident told Gephardt Daily two men were crossing the street at the intersection of 300 South 500 East just before 1 a.m. when they were struck by a passing motorist.
According to Lt. Carlos Valencia, Salt Lake City Police Department, the car’s driver was headed south on 500 East before turning east onto 300 South, where he hit the men who were in the crosswalk.
Both victims were rushed to University of Utah Hospital with severe injuries.
One of the men was reported in serious condition, while the other man was transported in extremely critical condition and not expected to survive, Valencia said. He died a short while later.
The victim’s name was not released, pending notification of family members.
Valencia said there were three people in the car which hit the men — a driver and two passengers. When the officers made contact with the driver, Valencia said, they noted a “strong odor of alcohol” on him.
The officers detained the driver and began the process to determine if he was driving under the influence.
A heavy fog had settled over the area, but Valencia said he wasn’t sure if that was a factor in the incident.
“The pedestrian has the right of way,” he said. “I don’t know if it was foggy at the time (of the accident). In this weather, you have to plan ahead and be careful.”
The intersection was closed off and the Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team was on scene to assist with the investigation.
Gephardt Daily will update this developing story as more information becomes available.
