Draper, Utah – A dump truck driver who fled the scene of a hit-and-run accident on Wednesday afternoon has been taken into custody after knocking down multiple power poles and causing a significant power outage in a seven-block stretch of 12300 South in Draper.
The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of 12300 South and 800 East. Authorities say the dump truck’s lift was raised when the driver struck a traffic signal, knocking down three power poles and sparking a small fire from live wires on the ground.
Following the crash, the driver left the scene, prompting a swift response from the Draper City Police Department. Lt. Mike Elkins confirmed that the driver’s decision to flee the scene could result in additional charges. “The driver chose not to remain on scene, and additional charges could be brought as a result of that,” Elkins stated.
To ensure public safety, police closed the road between 700 East and 900 East while crews worked to clear the wreckage and prevent further hazards. The fallen power lines, which were sparking, presented a fire risk, and authorities were concerned about potential dangers to other motorists.
“We had power lines on the ground sparking, causing fires,” Lt. Elkins said. “This created an extremely dangerous situation for everyone in the area.”
The power outage impacted traffic signals, leaving intersections without proper control for several hours. By 3:30 p.m., officials were notified of a second power outage affecting traffic signals between 265 East and 700 East, prompting an expansion of the road closure to include these intersections.
Local resident Andrew Benson, who lives near the affected area, described the disruption. “At first, we were told the power would be back by 4 p.m., but then we got an update saying it would be midnight before it was restored,” Benson said. “Businesses had to close, traffic signals were down, and it was just a real nightmare.”
By 10 p.m., power was fully restored, and the road was reopened to traffic. Despite the extensive disruption, authorities were able to use nearby surveillance footage to identify the truck involved in the crash and track down the driver, though their identity has not yet been released.
While the investigation continues, the incident has raised questions about how better safeguards could prevent such accidents, especially in high-traffic areas where elevated vehicle equipment, such as dump truck lifts, could pose significant risks to infrastructure.