Woman Arrested After Crashing Into UHP Squad Car
Feb 1, 2019, 6:18 AM | Updated: 10:42 pm
SANDY, Utah – A Salt Lake County woman was arrested after officials said she crashed into a trooper’s patrol car. They believe she may have been under the influence of a medication.
Police believe she was under the influence of some prescription medication.
The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. Friday on Interstate 15 near 8900 South during the morning commute.
Officials with the Sandy Police Department said a trooper with the Utah Highway Patrol was carrying out a “slowdown” to clear a hazard on the freeway.
“It is a very obvious thing. They go through specific training and they slowly go across all lanes of traffic and gradually slow traffic down over a substantial distance,” said Lt. Dean Carriger.
He said that’s when 49-year-old Brenda Brown from Midvale tried driving past the trooper, but collided with his squad car.
Police were investigating if the medications she’s accused of taking were in fact prescribed.
Brown was arrested and cited for suspicion of driving under the influence.
At 9000 S I-15 NB, a DUI driver was just arrested by @Sandy_Police after crashing into and disabling Trp. Fawson's patrol car. She failed to yield to his lights and sirens while he was performing a slow-down maneuver so a trooper down the road could remove debris in the roadway. pic.twitter.com/9eGqfHWL7n
— Utah Highway Patrol (@UTHighwayPatrol) February 1, 2019
“DUI is just not an alcohol related offense. It’s any substance that may cause impairment. If you’re taking prescription medications, adhere to the warnings on the packages. Specifically talk to your doctor about the side effects to the medication, and if it’ll cause impairment which may prohibit you from operating a motor vehicle,” said Lt. Carriger.
With the Super Bowl approaching on Sunday, officials from the Utah Department of Public Safety have asked the public to be aware that it can be a dangerous driving day.
They said the average number of alcohol-impaired driver crashes tends to be more than 60 percent higher on day of the big game than an average day in February.
Officers throughout the state have over 45 extra DUI shifts to help make sure everyone enjoys the #SuperBowl safely.
Make sure your game plans include a safe and sober ride home! pic.twitter.com/QqW8iiLkig— Utah Public Safety (@UtahDPS) February 1, 2019
“All year long we got to be cognizant whether we’re consuming alcohol or taking medications, or around other substances that may cause impairment,” said Lt, Carriger.
Police advised game watchers to make sure their party game plan includes a safe ride home. Call 911 if you see someone driving dangerously.
