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SLCPD Reminds Community About Drowsy Driving After Three Car Crash

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department is reminding community members about the dangers of drowsy driving.

Around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, officers assigned to the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Liberty Patrol Division responded to a crash at 2690 South 700 East.

Officers found three cars involved. One car had significant damage and the interior airbags deployed. The driver of that car told officers she fell asleep behind the wheel while traveling south on 700 East. Her car drifted off the road and crashed into a fire hydrant. The crash severed the hydrant from its base.

The impact caused the first car to go airborne, crash, roll, and then land upright.

Upon landing, the car hit two other cars.

Both cars had minor damage.

Remarkably, the crash did not result in any serious injuries.

Two people from two separate cars took themselves to the hospital.

The crash resulted in significant travel delays for commuters headed south.

Specialists from the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Community Response Team (PCRT) assisted with traffic control and clean up.

According to published studies, most drowsy driving related crashes happen when there is only one person in the car. Factors that increase drowsiness include sleep patterns, work schedules, and driving conditions and environment.

Research also shows opening windows or playing music, are ineffective measures for preventing drowsy-related crashes. Instead, the most effective preventive measure is proper rest.

The Salt Lake City Police Department recommends people never drive when they are tired. If you recognize yourself becoming less attentive, feeling tired, having difficulty keeping your eyes open, or detect slow reaction times, you should safely stop the car and allow your body a chance for rest.

In some circumstances, it is recommended that the driver call a family member or friend to complete the trip. In other circumstances, if possible, the driver should consider leaving their car safely parked and then using ride-share to get home safely and then picking up their car after rest.

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

The department previously posted video from the crash scene on its Twitter/X page.

No additional information about this crash is being released.

Photo: Specialists with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Community Response Team [PCRT] on scene of a crash near 2700 South 700 East (Salt Lake City Police photo, January 9, 2023).

Photo: Salt Lake City Police investigate a three-car crash (Salt Lake City Police photo, January 9, 2023).

 Photo: A Salt Lake City police officer, assigned to the Liberty Patrol Division, communicates with emergency dispatchers to order a tow for a crashed car (Salt Lake City Police photo, January 9, 2023).

Photo: A Salt Lake City police traffic investigator officer, inside his police SUV, processes paperwork following a three-car crash (Salt Lake City Police photo, January 9, 2023).

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