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Correction: The original mugshot attached to this story was the wrong image. The correct image is now displayed. SALT LAKE CITY — Three people were injured and a man is in custody following a hit-and-run in a crosswalk in downtown Salt Lake City early Sunday morning, police said.
At about 1:45 a.m. Sunday, two officers were carrying out a traffic stop near 400 South and West Temple in Salt Lake, according to Lt. Mike Ross of Salt Lake City Police Department. During the stop, they observed a vehicle moving southbound on West Temple before making a left turn, striking three pedestrians walking southbound in the crosswalk on the east side of the intersection, Ross said.
The vehicle stopped momentarily before leaving the scene traveling eastbound. Officers pursued, and stopped the vehicle at about 400 South and Main St., Ross said. An empty bottle of whiskey and an open beer can were found in the vehicle. The driver, identified as Yai Maker Ajak, 23, was arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run, as well as suspicion of DUI causing serious bodily injury and open container, according to Ross.
The three victims, two male and one female, were all in their early 20s. All three were transported to a local hospital, two with more serious injuries, but each is recovering well Sunday and expected to be fine, according to Ross.
Ajak was charged with misdemeanor assault in 2012 in a domestic violence incident, according to court records. The case was set to go to trial at one point but was dismissed after the state could no longer find the alleged witness, court records state.
Also in 2012, Ajak took a plea in abeyance to theft, a class B misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft in 2011 and to shoplifting in 2010, according to court records.
Contributing: Pat Reavy
