Traffic investigators estimate that a man was driving about 100 mph on Tuesday when he rolled his vehicle at the start of an S-curve in Weber County, causing fatal injuries to his female passenger.
Police on Wednesday identified the passenger as 32-year-old Amber Lawrence, of Layton, but declined to release the 33-year-old driver’s identity, pending an ongoing investigation into whether alcohol played a role in the crash.
Weber County Sheriff’s Sgt. Matt Jensen said deputies responded to a hit-and-run crash about 3:40 p.m. Tuesday near 1900 W. 12th Street in Marriott-Slaterville. The vehicle at the scene had been hit from behind, but the suspect vehicle reportedly fled, Jensen said.
Minutes later, someone called 911 to report that a vehicle — believed to be the suspect vehicle — had rolled near 4400 W. 1150 South, Jensen said. Investigators determined the vehicle had been traveling 100 mph on a road with a 55 mph speed limit. Jensen also noted that the S-curve at that part of the road has a posted speed advisory of about 40 mph.
When deputies and medical personnel arrived at the scene, two occupants were trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated, according to Jensen.
Lawrence died at the scene, and the driver was flown by medical helicopter to a hospital in critical condition.
Jensen said Wednesday that the driver is expected to survive his injuries.
It was not clear whether the pair had been wearing seat belts, Jensen said, adding that based on an initial investigation, police suspect alcohol was a factor in the crash.
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