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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
WEST JORDAN — A car fleeing the scene of a minor accident at high speeds created a much more serious situation Tuesday after attempting to run a red light and slamming into another vehicle.
West Jordan Police Sgt. Rich Bell said that the driver of a red Ford F-350 Super Duty was involved in a "fairly minor" accident around 7800 South and Redwood Road.
The driver, Tyler Jones, 30, of Taylorsville, fled the scene of that accident traveling very fast northbound on Redwood. Bell said that some witnesses placed his speed at more than 80 miles per hour.
Bell said that witnesses saw the man weaving in and out of traffic near the intersection at 7000 South. There, he attempted to run a red light and t-boned a white sedan with two people inside. At least one other vehicle was involved peripherally, police said.
Witnesses told police that the truck hit the sedan with such force that it actually rolled the sedan.
Related:
Highway fatalities at record low, more work to be done
Are you willing to take a pledge to be a safer driver?Jones then fled the scene of the second accident on foot. Bell said that a West Valley detective apprehended the individual after traveling a short distance and took him into custody.
The two occupants of the sedan had to be extricated from the vehicle, but their injuries were not life-threatening. Jones was hospitalized for his injuries.
Andrew McEuen, who lives about a mile away from the scene of the accident, said he saw the lifted truck pass end-to-end over top of the small car. He and his wife were stopped at the light on Redwood Road when the accident unfolded in the intersection in front of them.
"When I saw it, (the truck) was coming off the vehicle, heading toward us," McEuen said. "It was a terrible accident, for sure."
Nearby cars were hit by flying glass and debris, he said.
McEuen said Jones looked confused and kept changing directions as he fled on foot.
Jones faces investigation for running a red light, having improper plates on the vehicle he was driving, driving without insurance, driving on a suspended license, fleeing the scene and driving under the influence.
