Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Brooke Walker ReportingA car traveled nearly 40 blocks on the wrong side of the freeway overnight before it plowed head-on into oncoming traffic. The crash shut down I-15 for more than an hour. Police say the driver had been drinking.
This crash was basically a recipe for disaster -- an impaired driver traveling at freeway speed and heading in the wrong direction. In fact, police say there were no skid marks on the ground, which means the driver didn't even attempt to stop.
Jeff Bedard: “A little shaken up at the moment, but other than that I feel pretty lucky.”
Lucky is right. Jeff Bedard is a Salt Lake police officer. He was driving home from work just after midnight when he faced a pretty scary sight, headlights coming directly at him, in his lane, but from the opposite direction. He says the driver made no attempt to swerve or even to slow down.
Jeff Bedard, Driver, Salt Lake Police Dept.: "It's something you don't expect. At first I thought it was a northbound car and tried to take as evasive actions as I could to avoid the collision."
Police say his quick reaction prevented the crash from being worse than it was. The collision did involve two other vehicles, but the people in those cars had only minor injuries.
The intoxicated driver was flown to a nearby hospital in critical condition. However, today her condition is improving. Authorities are not yet releasing her name, but at this point, contribute her confused driving to the prescription drugs and alcohol they found in the backseat of her car.
She will be charged with DUI and possession of a runaway vehicle.
Police say this is a perfect example of just how important defensive driving can be. They say being alert enough to react quickly in whatever situation you encounter can often be the lifesaver. In this situation, that was certainly the case.
