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SOUTH JORDAN — A 39-year-old man is dead after his vehicle was rammed from behind on Bangerter Highway early Saturday morning.
Michael Gallegos was stopped at a red light northbound at 9800 South on Bangerter Highway around 3 a.m. when a small SUV impacted his vehicle, a green Saturn, from behind, according to South Jordan Police Lt. Matt Evans.
"The impact from the rear caused very significant damage," he said. "Police were told within seconds, the vehicle caught on fire."
The vehicle was fully engulfed by the time emergency responders got to the scene, Evans said.
The car was completely destroyed, according to witnesses.
"This is the worst one I have ever picked up," said Derek Grondin, who towed the car away from the scene.
Emergency responders were unable to rescue the driver of the vehicle from the flames, but authorities said the death was caused by the impact, before the fire was started.
Blake Molder, 23, was treated at Jordan Valley Hospital and was later released. He has been booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of DUI and automobile homicide.
Evans said Molder told investigators he was traveling from a bar when the accident happened and that he had smoked marijuana earlier. Molder tested over the legal limit for alcohol, but officers are awaiting the results of a full investigation.
Contributing: Roger Cary
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