This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A South Jordan man remained in critical condition Friday, two days after he was injured in a head-on crash with a suspected drunk driver who was traveling the wrong way on Interstate 215.
Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Todd Royce said 27-year-old Michael W. McMillian had reportedly been stabilized, however, and doctors were cautiously optimistic about he chances for survival.
Just before midnight Wednesday, 22-year-old Chanel S. Nielsen of Sandy was spotted by troopers as she entered oncoming traffic on I-15 from 5300 South — going southbound in the northbound lanes.
UHP units, their light bars and sirens activated, followed on the opposite side of the freeway, trying to get her attention. However, Nielsen continued on, switching onto I-215 and going eastbound in the westbound lanes of traffic.
Still heading the wrong way in her Mazda hatchback, she then collided with McMillian's westbound Subaru station wagon near 1700 East.
Nielsen, who was not wearing her seatbelt, was dead at the scene.
McMillian was rushed to Intermountain Medical Center, where he remained on Friday.
Several other vehicles were involved in chain-reaction collisions in the moments after the initial crash, but no further injuries were reported.
Twitter: @remims