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SLCPD Officers Arrest 20-Year-old Intoxicated Driver Following Hit-and-Run Investigation

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department safely arrested a 20-year-old man after he crashed into two parked cars, drove recklessly through several neighborhoods, and then crashed through a fence at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

This investigation started at 9:26 a.m. on Friday, November 24, 2023, when SLC911 received reports of a hit and run that just occurred near 2300 East Garfield Avenue.

The initial 9-1-1 caller told dispatchers the suspect, driving a silver Honda Civic, hit a parked car and took off.

SLC911 then started getting more reports of the suspect driving the wrong-way and running red lights on 2300 East and on Foothill Drive.

During the investigation, officers determined after hitting the first car, a pickup, the suspect hit a second parked car after the impact pushed his car.

At approximately 9:34 a.m., SLC911 received information that the driver crashed into a fence at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center near 500 South and East Valdez Drive.

SLCPD officers and officers with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police found the driver and his heavily damaged car in a parking lot off Bennion Boulevard on the hospital campus.

There were no injuries reported in any of the crashes.

Officers safely took the driver into custody.

When officers took the man into custody, they immediately saw signs of impairment.

Officers located several open beer bottles and a case of beer in the driver-side rear passenger seat area.

Officers have taken the 20-year-old driver into custody and will be processing him for driving under the influence.

His name is not being released until he is booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.

Several photos from the scene are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Photo: The driver of this Honda Civic crashed into two parked cars and then drove away before crashing through a fence at a hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah (SLCPD photo, November 24, 2023).

Photo: Officers located several beer bottles, many open and consumed, during their investigation (SLCPD photo, November 24, 2023). 

Photo: A suspected drunk driver crashed into two cars near 2300 East Garfield Avenue in Salt Lake City, Utah (SLCPD photo, November 24, 2023).

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