Media Alert
PIO
Utah Highway Patrol Statewide weekend recap.
We hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable Easter weekend. The Utah Highway Patrol was out in force to help make that possible. Although there were a few serious crashes, there were no fatalities on the highway this holiday weekend. We observed several instances through our enforcement when motorists combined very dangerous and potentially deadly behaviors such as extreme speeds and impaired driving.
Troopers from Millard and Juab Counties participated in an enforcement project over the weekend near the Little Sahara Sand Dunes. Totals from the weekend enforcement saw over 52 speeders over 100 mph, 344-speed contacts, 4 DUIs, and three crashes. These results continue to magnify the need for some to analyze and adjust their driving behaviors.
Troopers also had two instances where vehicles fleed from them in Juab County. One of these occurred Saturday evening when Troopers attempted a traffic stop for an equipment violation. The driver of that vehicle accelerated to speeds well over 100 mph and made several turns trying to avoid officers. The pursuit was terminated when the car exited the freeway into Nephi. The investigation into this incident is still ongoing.
A second vehicle fled from Troopers yesterday, April 17, 2022, when a UHP Sergeant attempted to stop a Dodge Avenger traveling 100 mph on I-15. That vehicle would not stop until it was successfully spiked and stopped in Utah County. After a short foot pursuit, the driver was taken into custody. Troopers conducted a DUI investigation, and the driver was arrested for suspicion of impaired driving. (Link below for more information)
Troopers participated in the Hurricane Rotary Easter car show. In addition to some really cool cars, they were able to share safe driving messages with visitors and car enthusiasts. These are fantastic opportunities to interact with Officers who share their knowledge and experiences to educate Utah drivers about the dangers we see on our roadways.
A serious crash occurred on SR-132 near Moroni when a red Chevrolet Cobalt traveled southbound on SR-132 at approximately 700 North. The driver was possibly distracted and crossed the center line traveling southbound in the northbound lane. A silver Ford Fusion traveling northbound swerved to the right to avoid a collision with the Cobalt. The Fusion then went off the right side of the road, causing minor damage to the vehicle. A red Kia Optima was also traveling northbound behind the Fusion and swerved to the left in an attempt to miss the Cobalt. The Cobalt struck the Optima on the front passenger side. Neither the driver nor the passenger of the cobalt was wearing a seatbelt. The driver was transported by helicopter and the passenger by ambulance in serious condition. The Optima had six passengers, all transported to a local hospital by ambulance. Everyone in Optima was wearing seatbelts, and two young boys were sharing a seatbelt.
On Saturday Evening at about 10:15 pm, dispatch advised Troopers of a pedestrian on the freeway in the Provo area. Initial reports were that the male was running southbound in the northbound lanes getting into the travel lanes. When they arrived, they found an intoxicated adult male on the Center St. northbound on-ramp. Upon further investigation, Troopers learned the individual had been the passenger in a vehicle that had crashed and that two occupants of the car had kicked him out of the car and drove off. Officers are investigating a possible assault that may have occurred against this individual.
Troopers in the Moab area attended a recruitment event.
The Utah Highway Patrol hopes to continue into this week fatality-free. Let’s all do our part and drive focused, be courteous, watch your speed, wear your seat belt, and don’t drive impaired.
Have a great week.
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