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Gene Kennedy reportingAn elderly man and woman are in the hospital in serious condition this morning. A van hit them as they walked to the Capitol Theatre to see the opera last night.
The couple was in a crosswalk, crossing the street with a group of people on their way to the Capitol Theatre.
Logan Brueck, Witness: "The next thing I know they're getting picked up and thrown on the hood of the van.”
It was about 15 minutes before Romeo and Juliet began. The area was crowded with opera- goers.
The van that hit the elderly couple had a group of teenagers in it, but Salt Lake City Police say it was not speeding as eyewitnesses previously said. The teen was driving the speed limit but police say because he didn't brake, so impact was still severe.
Logan Brueck, Witness: "They kept on going and basically threw them onto the road. The husband hit and started rolling and the van kept on rolling right over him.”
The husband, a 72-year-old man, was thrown 10 to 20 feet, according to eyewitnesses. Both he and his 70-year-old wife were taken to the hospital in serious condition.
The driver, a 16-year old, did not try to run, but several teenagers who were passengers in the van, did. Bystanders stopped them and held them until police arrived.
No word yet, on what charges the driver could face.
