Man in custody after hitting multiple cars and a pedestrian, fled from scene

ST. GEROGE, Utah — A 23-year-old man is in police custody after allegedly causing a significant car crash while driving under the influence.

According to arrest documents, Kord Devan Johnson, 23, caused two separate car crashes while under the influence of prescription medications and alcohol Thursday night.

At approximately 9:16 p.m., St. George police responded to a car crash involving Johnson and a pedestrian where the suspect drove away at 600 North 2450 East in St. George, Utah. When officers arrived, they found another car crash at 450 North 2450 East involving Johnson and two other cars.

First responders began first aid to the pedestrian where she was unconscious but breathing, according to arrest documents. She was transported to a local hospital with a large laceration across her forehead, bruising on her face, and road rashes on both arms.

“Witnesses on the scene said they observed the driver of the suspect vehicle flee the scene of the vehicle vs. pedestrian and then crash into the vehicle at 450 North 2450 East,” according to arrest documents. “The suspect vehicle in the 450 North accident was driving a gold SUV, matching gold paint chips were located at the scene of the pedestrian accident, confirming this was the vehicle involved.”

In the second car accident, Johnson was driving at high speed when he ran a stop sign, hitting two crossing vehicles. Both victim drivers reported being hurt, but arrest documents do not list their conditions or injuries.

Officers made contact with Johnson and noticed he was showing signs of DUI.

“[Johnson] had constricted pupils, watery and bloodshot eyes and visible red conjunctiva was visible in both eyes. When [Johnson] spoke, I observed his speech to be slurred and he had an
overwhelming odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath,” according to arrest documents.

While talking to police, Johnson admitted he takes various medications for anxiety, psychosis, depression, and “anti-alcohol.” He also told police he had a couple of shots of alcohol and three or four beers a couple of hours before the accidents.

Police began field sobriety testing on Johnson, which he failed, and blew a .320 for the preliminary breath test, six times the Utah legal limit, according to arrest documents.

Johnson was arrested and sent to the St. George Police Department for a full DUI investigation. He agreed to a breath and urine test but refused to submit a blood test. Police got a search warrant for his blood and got a blood sample.

Police reported that Johnson blew a .327 in an intoxilyzer at approximately 10:28 p.m.

According to arrest documents, the arresting officer noted that Johnson was aware that he had struck a pedestrian but never asked about her condition. He only complained his tailbone hurting and asked how long he would be in jail. Johnson also told the officer he was excited about having alcohol and Xanax in his system.

Johnson was sentenced on Sept. 9 to 36 months of probation and ordered not to consume alcohol. Arrest documents do not list Johnson’s charges for the Sept. 9 sentencing.

Johnson was booked into the Washington County Jail for failure to remain at an accident involving serious injury, reckless driving, unlawful purchase by an interdicted person, and three counts of driving under the influence. Police are asking for no bail because of Johnson’s actions.