COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah, Jan. 2, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Witnesses say the 36-year-old man who died after an auto-pedestrian accident Monday night in Cottonwood Heights appeared to be intentionally laying in the roadway prior to the incident.
The deceased is Nathan Brown, Cottonwood Heights Police Sgt. Ryan Shosted said in a news release Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 7 p.m., the news release said, when it was reported to Cottonwood Heights Police that someone was “jumping into traffic” at the 2000 E. block of Fort Union Blvd.
Witness accounts at the scene were that Brown appeared to be moving in and out of traffic intentionally, and that he subsequently was laying down in the roadway, where vehicles were attempting to avoid him.
“Subsequent to that report, there were calls that a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in that location,” the news release said. “The suspect vehicle, a dark colored SUV, had left the scene of the accident.”
Unified Fire Authority and Cottonwood Heights Police responded and attempted life saving measures to Brown, but he succumbed to his injuries.
“While police were on scene investigating the accident, the driver of the SUV called 911 to report they were involved in an accident,” the news release continued. “The driver has been cooperative with police and turned over the vehicle for investigation.”
The accident was originally thought to be a hit-and-run incident.
The investigation is ongoing and all evidence from this case will be provided to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of charges.
The vehicle driver’s name will not be released at this time, police said.
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information becomes available.
