PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

February 5, 2023

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

SLCPD Officer Witnesses Wrong-Way Driver, Drunk, Crash on Redwood Road

SALT LAKE CITY — Early this morning, an officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department, while helping other officers on an unrelated and nearby crash, witnessed a wrong-way driver crash and then lose control of a truck.

This investigation started at approximately 6:24 a.m. on Sunday February 5, 2023, when the officer saw a 2009 black Ford F-150 traveling northbound at a high rate of speed on Redwood Road.

When the driver reached 400 South Redwood Road, the driver swerved into the southbound lanes, traveling the wrong way.

The driver of the F-150 tried correcting the travel of his truck but ended up driving over a pole. As the truck continued moving, the driver crossed the center median back into the northbound lanes.

Ultimately, the driver lost control of the truck, went sideways, over the sidewalk and nearly crashed down an embankment, with homes at the base.

The officer immediately responded and attempted a traffic stop. As the officer arrived, the driver of the truck started backing up the truck and driving northbound on Redwood Road.

The driver pulled over near 200 South Redwood Road.

When the officer contacted the driver, the officer could smell an alcoholic beverage coming from the driver and his eyes appeared glossy and bloodshot.

At the time of the crash, officers believe the driver operated his truck while under the influence of alcohol.

The driver is being processed for driving under the influence of alcohol and other traffic-related charges.

The driver’s name is not being released at this time, pending booking into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.

Two photos from the scene are being released.

One of the photos has been edited to obscure the identity of the driver as he has not been booked into jail at this time.

Media may use these photos with proper credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

No further information on this case is being released. Neither the PIO nor the On-Duty Watch Commander are available for interviews.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

###