Man dies after hit by car; driver booked for fleeing scene
Feb 8, 2020, 6:49 PM
The Montana Highway Patrol said a chain reaction crash began Sunday, Jan. 7, when a jackknifed semi blocked traffic, due to inclement weather. (Canva)
(Canva)
PARK CITY, Utah — A man died in the University of Utah hospital after being hit by a car in Park City Thursday night. The driver was arrested on charges of fleeing the scene of an accident that resulted in death, according to the probable cause affidavit.
The pedestrian was a 43-year-old man that was found lying unconscious on the road when Detective Daniel Cherkis arrived to the scene. Cherkis reported the man was bleeding from his mouth and struggling to breathe.
The man was transported to the University of Utah hospital in serious condition.
Driver not present at scene
When Cherkis arrived, the driver who was assumed to hit a man with his car wasn’t present at the scene. Cherkis asked several witnesses for identification information on the car — witnesses confirmed it was a rental van from Black Tie Ski Rental.
Cherkis called the ski equipment store in an attempt to locate the driver. One of the employees was able to get in touch with the driver.
The driver, 23-year-old Nicholas Westland, returned to the scene shortly after.
Cherkis then observed the vehicle Westland was driving to find damage to the front passenger side of the vehicle. Cherkis found the windshield cracked, and Westland told him the bumper was “messed up,” according to the affidavit.
Driver gives information on man hit by car without incident
At first, Cherkis booked Westland, who said he didn’t want to talk to authorities about what happened. Cherkis read him his rights and left the room Westland was in.
Shortly after, Westland told the other detective in the room he wanted to tell the whole story. Westland said he didn’t see the man crossing the road. He said he was in complete shock when he heard a thud and discovered he hit someone.
During this time, Cherkis conducted a blood draw warrant on Westland. Cherkis then got a call confirmed the man died in the hospital.
Cherkis then booked Westland for leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death. Officers transported Westland to Summit County jail without incident, according to the affidavit.
