Estimated read time: 1-2 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
Sam Penrod ReportingAuthorities are looking for a hit-and-run driver who they say caused a crash while driving drunk. A 60-year-old woman suffered serious injuries in the crash.
The suspect is believed to have been drunk, and investigators think that is why he fled.
The Highway Patrol was called around 2:00 this afternoon, after the driver of a maroon car tried to pass a white car going down Parley's Canyon on I-80. Troopers say that the maroon car sideswiped the white car and caused it to go upside down and slide more than 100 feet down the freeway.
Fortunately both people in the car were wearing seatbelts. However, the 60-year-old woman was seriously hurt and taken to University Hospital. The driver of the car who caused the crash fled before authorities arrived.
Sgt. Brian Smith, Utah Highway Patrol: "We found alcohol in the maroon vehicle and we suspect alcohol comes into play in this accident."
Investigators believe the man, who witnesses described as about 35 years old, may have hitched a ride down the canyon. They are checking the registration of the car to see who it belongs to.
Westbound traffic was reduced to one lane for about an hour, and even on a Sunday afternoon that caused long delays.
Police say the driver, when caught, will face numerous charges including hit and run, and DUI.
