Man charged with homicide in SLC hit and run said he drank, used marijuana before crash

SALT LAKE COUNTY — A man from West Valley City has been formally charged with two counts of automobile homicide after authorities say he allegedly struck and killed a woman a week ago, who was five months pregnant at the time, in Salt Lake City.

Jack Keith Archibald, 53, is in custody with a no-bail hold.

Court documents released Wednesday state Archibald told police he was driving after drinking a six-pack of beer, an Arnold Palmer (alcoholic drink) and using marijuana.

“Officers proceeded to conduct field sobriety tests on Jack Keith Archibald, which he failed. Subsequent breathalyzer tests resulted in a BAC of .136 for the first test, completed approximately three hours after the crash, and a BAC of .108 for the second test, completed an hour after the first test.”

The fatal hit-and-run crash happened around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3, in the area of 900 East and 1700 South. Documents say soon after, officers located Archibald at Forest Dale Golf Course, hiding in a golf-cart shed after he parked, smoked a cigarette and spoke to construction workers who called 911.

When officers arrived, Archibald left the shed where he had been hiding.

“I know what you’re here for,” he told officers. “The wreck I was in.”

According to court documents, the vehicle Archibald drove to the golf course had two flat tires, front-end damage and branches and other debris under it, prompting witnesses to call 911.

Archibald, 53, was also charged in Third District Court with:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• Failure to stop at serious injury accident
• Leaving the scene of an accident involving death
• Failed to operate vehicle on right side of roadway
• Driving on the sidewalk

“During the investigation, detectives learned Archibald was driving a vehicle, while impaired, east on 1700 South near 900 East when he swerved through oncoming traffic lanes and onto the sidewalk, striking 23-year-old Libbie Isabel Allan and her daughter,” stated a press release on May 3 from the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Today, detectives arrested 53-year-old Jack Archibald, of West Valley City, in connection to this case.

The victim who died is identified as 23-year-old Libbie Isabel Allan. Her daughter remains in critical condition. https://t.co/2ls3falIHX #SLC #SaltLakeCity #SLCPD pic.twitter.com/VkajQPAhZf

— Salt Lake City Police (@slcpd) May 4, 2022

Officers and paramedics performed life-saving measures on Allan, however, she died while being transported to an area hospital. KSL later learned that Allan had just celebrated her 24th birthday the day before the crash and was five months pregnant with her second child.

At last update, Allan’s 2-year-old daughter, who was also struck in the collision, is currently fighting for her life in the hospital after she was initially diagnosed “with a brain bleed.”

Police: SLC woman killed in hit-and-run crash was pregnant; 2-year-old daughter in critical condition

Following the crash, police said Archibald drove through the front yard of a nearby home and knocked over a mental fence, then fled the scene.

Police noted that Archibald, who was taken into custody, “smelled very strongly of an alcoholic beverage.”

According to court documents, Archibald admitted to driving the vehicle after he was read his Miranda rights.

“Post Miranda warning, Jack Keith Archibald admitted to driving the vehicle, experiencing a ‘blackout,’ and then coming to when the car was in front of the home after the crash. He stated he got scared when he heard someone yelling to call the police, so he drove away.”

Archibald is currently in the Salt Lake County Metro Jail without bail.

In the meantime, a GoFundMe page* has been set up to help the Allan family with funeral costs and medical expenses.

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*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.