Patrol car sideswiped, trooper narrowly missed by speeding vehicle


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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Highway Patrol troopers narrowly escaped injury Saturday when a speeding vehicle came at them on the freeway.

The troopers were investigating an accident on I-15 about 7400 South around 2 p.m. when they noticed a car coming toward them, going 60 mph to 70 mph in the right emergency lane, said Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. David Moreno.

Surrounding traffic was slowed nearly to a stop because of the accident and investigation, and the right lane of traffic was closed, Moreno said.

The vehicle swerved out of the emergency lane but took out several cones and sideswiped the parked patrol vehicle in the process. One trooper jumped over the cement barrier to avoid being hit, Moreno said.

"He should have known we were there," he said, adding that another trooper was in the car that was hit but was not injured. "It was a very scary incident. Luckily they were alert, they saw the vehicle coming, and he was able to take action by jumping over the wall."

Moreno and others at the scene followed the vehicle and were able to arrest the male driver on the 7200 South ramp without further incident.

Moreno said the man was shaking and admitted to be going through heroin withdrawals. The driver was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment.

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Wendy Leonard

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