Man dies after crashing into Clearfield City apartment building

CLEARFIELD, Utah — A 40-year-old man has died after his vehicle crashed into an apartment building in Clearfield Thursday night.

The incident happened at 101 N. Main Street around 8:20 p.m.

Officials with the Clearfield City Police Department said the vehicle crashed into a wall and went through the building.

“Occupants on the fourth floor of the apartment building felt the impact of the vehicle on the building,” read a press release Friday from Clearfield police. “The severity of the impact activated one of the sprinkler heads of the buildings fire suppression system causing water to flow over the top of the crashed vehicle.”

When officers arrived on scene, they found an adult male in the driver seat of the vehicle who was not conscious and not breathing.

He was extricated from the vehicle, according to police, and moved to a different area of the building.

Members from several responding agencies attempted life-saving measures before he was transported to Davis Hospital and Medical Center in Layton. Sadly, the driver died from his injuries at the hospital.

Police have identified the driver as a 40-year-old Clearfield City resident, but his name has not been released, pending family notification.

“Preliminarily, it is believed the vehicle veered off the roadway at a high rate of speed and crashed into the building,” the press release stated.

Police said a witness reported the vehicle was traveling northbound on State Street in Clearfield City, passing Center Street.

“Witness indicated the vehicle did not make any aggressive movements, did not attempt to stop, or hit any other vehicles or objects. The vehicle appeared to drive straight and not turn with the roadway and ultimately crashed into the building,” the release continued.

Police said they believe the driver either had a medical emergency or fell asleep at the wheel, adding there were no obvious signs or evidence of impairment.

The incident remains under investigation.

“The apartment building did not suffer structural damage that would result in the evacuation of the residents or being uninhabitable,” concluded the release.

Press release regarding a fatal traffic accident that occurred on January 27, 2022. pic.twitter.com/mzswNB8rGF

— Clearfield PD, Utah (@ClearfieldPD) January 28, 2022