Utah woman was driving between 83-94 mph when her car hit Taylorsville pedestrian, charges say

A woman charged in the Nov. 22 death of a 19-year-old Taylorsville man had allegedly been drunk and speeding when her car struck the pedestrian.

West Valley City resident Roxanna Molina, 27, was charged Friday in 3rd District Court with manslaughter, a second-degree felony. Prosecutors left open the option of changing the charge to automobile homicide, also a second-degree felony.

She’s also charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death, a third-degree felony, and three infractions: speeding, failure to obey a traffic control device and illegal window tinting.

The traffic light at 4200 South and Redwood Road had been red for 3.66 seconds before Molina’s SUV sped through the intersection and hit Robert Harsh at 9 p.m., according to charging documents.

Harsh was declared dead at the scene.

Officers found Molina down the street, in a parking lot at 4668 S. Redwood Road. She told a Unified police officer that she had hit the corner of a UTA bus, and that she pulled over because her vehicle stalled, charges state.

The officer saw “significant damage to the front end with apparent blood on the windshield and fender,” charges state.

Molina reportedly admitted to drinking five shots of liquor and four beers before driving, according to charges. A blood draw and preliminary toxicology report listed her blood alcohol content as 0.17, just over than twice the legal limit. She had reportedly been driving between 83 and 94 miles per hour when her SUV crashed into Harsh. The posted speed limit at that intersection is 45 miles per hour.

“Mr. Harsh was thrown 324 feet,” charges state.

Police have said Molina was on her way to a party when she hit Harsh. She told police she knew she had hit someone but decided to keep driving, according to the probable-cause statement.

Her initial appearance in front of a judge is scheduled for Dec. 29.