News

Actions

Driver critically injured in crash faces charge for DUI

Posted at 3:37 PM, Mar 21, 2015
and last updated 2015-03-21 18:27:09-04
Image courtesy Utah Highway Patrol.

Image courtesy Utah Highway Patrol.

MURRAY, Utah – A man is in critical condition after a rollover crash that occurred on I-15 late Friday night, and police said the driver of the Jeep that crashed had a blood alcohol content of nearly three times the legal limit.

According to the Utah Highway Patrol, a Jeep Wrangler was traveling southbound on I-15 near mile post 299 around 11:45 p.m. when the driver attempted to take an exit for I-215 after the exit-only lanes of I-15 had split from the main highway.

The Jeep collided with the crash attenuator in the gore area and the vehicle flipped and landed on its roof before sliding across three lanes of the I-215 ramp. The car traveled about 400 feet before coming to a stop in the emergency lane against a wall.

The roof of the Jeep collapsed around the occupants, and both had to be extricated by medical personnel. Neither of them were wearing seat belts.

The driver of the Jeep, 31-year-old Christopher York of Lehi, suffered head trauma and facial fractures and was taken to Intermountain Medical Center in critical condition. The female passenger was not injured.

jeep crash 1

Image courtesy Utah Highway Patrol.

The ramp was closed for several hours as the major accident team investigated. Police stated both occupants of the vehicle were intoxicated and that York’s BAC was “nearly three times the legal limit.”

York is being charged with DUI, and police stated they are following up on whether to file over-serving charges at the bar York had come from.