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SALT LAKE CITY — A man police say hit a pedestrian with his vehicle then fled the scene in Salt Lake Wednesday afternoon failed field sobriety tests when authorities found him later, jail records show.
Todd R. Smith, 49, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of failure to remain at an accident involving serious injury, driving under the influence with serious bodily injury by negligent operation and having an open container or drinking alcohol in a vehicle, according to jail records.
The man critically injured another man when he crashed into him with his car as the victim crossed the street near 100 S. Main St. about 4 p.m., jail documents show.
The driver fled the area and went back to his apartment complex where he created a scene with management, according to jail records. The video taken during the altercation aided police in identifying him as the driver who struck the pedestrian.
When officers found and questioned Smith, he admitted to hitting the victim with his car but said he thought he had just grazed him, jail records show. He also admitted he had been drinking earlier and had not had anything to drink since returning to his apartment complex, according to jail documents.
Smith failed the field sobriety tests administered to him on scene, and police took a blood draw once he was back at the station, jail documents state. During a search of Smith's vehicle, police found a soda cup in the center console that was mixed with alcohol, according to jail documents.
Smith was also arrested almost a week prior to the Wednesday hit-and-run on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and no drivers license in possession.
The victim of the crash was transported to the hospital and placed in a medically-induced coma.
