Sandy, UT (May 28, 2022) – Officers have successfully identified the woman who died in a major accident that she caused by speeding and running a red light in Sandy on Friday, May 27th.
According to an update from the Sandy Police Department officers, the deceased, 35-year-old Marylee Benavidez, was driving northbound on State Street in a Toyota 4Runner when she crashed into a westbound Ford F-150 10600 South.
The impact of the collision, which took place at about 8:40 a.m., caused the two vehicles to crash into seven others that were all stopped at the red light.
Benavidez died on the scene from her injuries, as did a German Shepherd in her vehicle.
Two other victims injured in the incident were transported by paramedics to an area hospital in serious condition, while multiple other victims received treatment for various minor injuries at the scene.
According to police, Benavidez drove at an excessive rate of speed through the intersection of 10660 South and State Street while she had the red light. An eyewitness said she made no attempt to brake or slow down as she approached the busy intersection.
Police are investigating whether alcohol or drug use contributed to the collision.
The north and southbound lanes of 10600 South and State Street were shut down for several hours before finally reopening around 1:00 p.m.
The state of Utah is home to more than three million people, all of whom live, play, work, and raise families. Sadly, as beautiful as our state is, it is also a hotspot for automobile accidents. A lot of these accidents end in serious injury or even fatalities for those involved.
As reflected in statistics issued by the Utah Department of Public Safety, car accidents in Utah have resulted in an increasing number of deaths. In 2020, over 53,000 vehicle collisions took place in Salt Lake City alone, leaving over 16,000 people with some degree of injury. In that same year, almost 270 people died in car accidents across the city.
A few of the most frequent causes of Utah car accidents include:
- Drivers who are
- Drivers who are drunk, drugged, or otherwise under the influence
- Drivers who are fatigued
- Driving over the speed limit
In many instances, accidents involve cyclists, pedestrians, or motorcyclists.
When you are driving on Utah’s roadways, you can take steps to keep yourself and your family as safe as possible by always wearing a seat belt, following all applicable road signs and traffic, and always being aware of your surroundings. Never get behind the wheel when you are tired and keep your cell phone and other distractions out of sight or out of reach so they do not endanger you, your passengers, or those on the road around you.
Regardless of how meticulous and mindful you are, it is not possible for you to predict or prevent events that are caused by another person’s negligence. If you are injured in a collision that you did not cause, we suggest that you speak with a skilled Utah personal injury attorney as soon as you possibly can.
Our personal injury lawyers can help you get the justice you want and the financial compensation you deserve. Depending on the circumstances of your crash, you may be entitled to recovery for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and a lot more.
After being hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, contact our Utah personal injury attorneys at (801) 350-3506 to schedule a complimentary case review and learn how we can help you.
Notes: The details and information utilized to create this post were gathered through the use of secondary sources. The details surrounding this accident have not been independently verified by the writing staff at Jardine Law Offices P.C.. These sources include but are not limited to newspaper stories, local news sources, local and state police reports, and eyewitness accounts about serious accidents that take place in Farmington and Salt Lake City, Utah. If you locate any information that is inaccurate, please contact us right away so that we can update the post with the most accurate information available. If you would like the post to be removed, please let us know and we will remove it as soon as possible.
Disclaimers: The attorneys at Jardine Law Offices P.C. have worked hard through the years to build a solid business reputation in the community. We write about these serious incidents to bring awareness about the dangers associated with driving in hopes that our fellow community members will use an abundance of caution when operating a motor vehicle and avoid being involved in a serious accident themselves. This story is not intended to be a solicitation for business. The information provided in this post should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. The photos used in this post are not taken from the scene of this accident.