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MURRAY — A man who police say had a blood-alcohol content of nearly three times the legal limit sustained serious injuries Friday night after the Jeep he was driving crashed and flipped.
Christopher York, 31, of Lehi, was driving south on I-15 near the I-215 interchange with a passenger, Amber Wright, 28, of West Jordan, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.
When York suddenly swerved to take the I-215 belt route after the exit-only lanes had already split from I-15, the Jeep clipped a crash barrier and flipped onto its top, UHP Sgt. Jacob Cox said. The vehicle slid across all three lanes onto the I-215 ramp for roughly 400 feet before resting against the wall in the right emergency lane, police said.
Neither York nor Wright were wearing their seat belts, Cox said. The Jeep’s roof collapsed upon impact, and both of them had to be extricated by medical personnel.
York was transported to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray in critical condition with head trauma and facial fractures, but Wright surprisingly did not sustain any injuries, Cox said.
Due to York’s severe injuries, the Major Accident Investigation Team responded, and the ramp was closed for several hours for investigation, according to UHP officials.
Cox said both York and Wright were intoxicated, and York’s blood alcohol content was nearly three times the legal limit. Cox said York will be arrested for investigation of driving under the influence after he is released from the hospital.
Troopers identified the bar York and Wright were driving from and are following up with the State Bureau of Investigation for potential charges against the bar for overserving, Cox said. Email: kmckellar@deseretnews.com
