Man dies after being hit by car in Sandy; driver arrested
Jan 15, 2026, 7:43 PM | Updated: Jan 17, 2026, 8:01 am
A man was taken to the hospital in critical condition Thursday night after being hit by a vehicle. (Nate Riser, KSL)
(Nate Riser, KSL)
SALT LAKE CITY — A man died after being hit by a car in Sandy Thursday night. Police documents say the woman driving was arrested at the scene.
Sgt. Michael Olsen with the Sandy Police Department said Joshua Perry, who was in his 40s, was using a crosswalk at an intersection near 1000 East 11000 South when he was struck by a car. The intersection was temporarily closed after the incident.
The driver of the car remained on the scene, according to Olsen. The man was transported to a local hospital in critical condition where he later died from his injuries.
Police were working Thursday night to determine the circumstances that led up to the car hitting the man. Olsen said the driver, 55-year old Zoe Blankenstein, was arrested and booked on automobile homicide.
A probable cause statement for Blankenstein’s arrest said she’s suspected of driving under the influence. The document said an officer at the scene noticed her speech was slurred.
“Once (Blankenstein) was was out of the vehicle and speaking with me I was able to detect the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from (her) mouth,” the statement said. “(Blankenstein) swayed in place as she spoke with me indicating that she was struggling to keep her balance.”
The statement said Blankenstein told officers that she had one beer and was driving home from a birthday party. Police said she refused a field sobriety test, but agreed to give a blood sample for testing.
Blankenstein was booked into jail early Friday morning.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Perry’s family with finances, funeral expenses and medical bills.
*KSLNewsRadio 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.
This story may be updated.
