Father of 2 critically injured after being hit by teen on cell phone, West Jordan police say

WEST JORDAN — A father of two was in extremely critical condition Monday after being hit by a 17-year-old girl who police say was talking on her cell phone while running a red light Sunday evening.

"She was not paying attention," said West Jordan Police Sgt. Jeff Jewkes. "She was on the phone. There was some distraction."

About 10:30 p.m., a compact vehicle was on 7800 South approaching the intersection at 4800 West. A pickup truck on 4800 West was headed toward the same intersection.

The driver of the compact, a 29-year-old man whose name was not released, tried to time the light so he could go through the intersection on a green without stopping. The teen driving the pickup told police she thought she entered the intersection with the light still green for her, but at least three other witnesses reported that she ran the red light, Jewkes said.

"The yellow pickup ran the red light and hit him broadside," he said.

The man was flown by medical helicopter to University Hospital in extremely critical condition. He also had his two children, a 4-year-old girl and 2-year-old boy, in the back seat. Both were treated at the hospital and later released. The girl suffered a broken arm, the sergeant said.

The 17-year-old driver was not injured.

The girl was talking on her cell phone with her father explaining why she wasn't home already when the accident occurred, Jewkes said.

There were no signs of drugs or alcohol being factors.

— Pat Reavy