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There were horrifying moments outside a Midvale auto parts store yesterday when a driver hit two pedestrians then took off. Today, Midvale police say they think drugs can explain the hit-and-run.
Police think Neil Delynn Lewis was impaired in some way. Detectives say he first hit a parked delivery car, then a young man and his fiancé. Witnesses say there was a bloody aftermath. It happened right out side the Imparts Auto Parts store on 6990 S. State, just before closing time.
Barry Hansen, who witnessed the accident, said, "I could tell they were hit so hard. They went around the corner here, and I was afraid to even look."
One of the victims was a young man in his 20s. Another witness, Jenny Russell, said, "He was stumbling around, and his whole leg was cut open. We knew there was a second victim when he started screaming, ‘Somebody help my fiancé.'"
She was in worse shape. One of Russell's coworkers held the young woman until paramedics arrived.
As for the driver who hit the couple, Russell says, "I didn't see the vehicle that hit him."
But police found the truck abandoned not far from the scene. Clearly, it had been involved in an accident. Detectives say it belongs to Neil Delynn Lewis, who lives in Sandy. So, Sandy Police went to his home.
Sgt. John Salazar, with Midvale Police Department, said, "They, upon arriving at that address, see him leaving as a passenger in another vehicle. And he said he was on his way to the police station to report that he hit somebody." Salazar added, "He's been in the system for quite some time, about 17 years. Numerous DUIs, possession of controlled substances and open containers."
In this incident, police didn't smell alcohol on Lewis, but they think he was high. "It happened at 5:30 in the afternoon. Why is someone impaired at 5:30 in the afternoon? It's totally irresponsible," Salazar said.
Police say they did not book Lewis into jail because they typically don't do that on a misdemeanor charge. DUI and leaving the scene of an accident are both class A misdemeanors.
Fortunately, the couple's condition has improved, according to police. The young man is in fair condition, his fiancé in stable condition. Police say this story is proof how dangerous it can be to be impaired behind the wheel.
E-mail: gkennedy@ksl.com
E-mail: mgiauque@ksl.com
