SANDY, Utah — Police have identified the woman who died Friday in a crash on a major road in Sandy, and they say she caused the crash by running a red light at a high speed.
According to an update provided Friday afternoon by Sandy Police, 35-year-old Marylee Benavidez was driving a Toyota 4Runner northbound on State Street and collided with a Ford F150 heading westbound on 10600 South.
The impact from the crash, which occurred around 8:40 a.m., sent the two vehicles into seven others that were stopped at the light.
Benavidez died from her injuries, and so did a German Shepherd that was in her vehicle.
“This is definitely a tragic way to start a Memorial Day Weekend,” said. Lt. Dean Carriger with the Sandy City Police Department.
Two other people involved in the crash were taken to a local hospital with serious injuries, while several others were treated at the scene.
The most recent update from police said Benavidez entered the intersection of State and 10600 "at an excessive speed" and while the light was red.
"No slowing down, no braking. So tragic," said Julie Workman, a witness who was stopped at the intersection when the crash occurred.
Raw video below of the crash scene in Sandy
Police said they are investigating whether drug or alcohol use was a contributing factor in the crash.
The injured driver of the pickup, who police said did not appear to be at any fault in the crash, was 25-year-old Sam Beck. He is in critical condition, according to a GoFundMe to help cover his medical costs. The organizers of the page said Beck suffered fractures to his neck, arms, ribs, collarbone, shoulder blade and leg, as well as brain bleeding.
"It is hard to believe that this happened, but we are so thankful he survived," the GoFundMe page read in part. "Sam is the most loving, generous, and hard-working guy we know. He is always eager to help and would give the shirt off of his back to anyone in need. Words really cannot express how much Sam means to his family and friends."
