Salt Lake City police say a car apparently involved in a street race smashed into an historical monument at Temple Square in the city’s downtown, critically injuring the driver.
Police Lt. Mark Buhman says the Eagle Gate Monument that arches over State Street was gouged on part of its base but that the monument appeared to be structurally sound after the wreck early Saturday morning.
The Visit Salt Lake website says the monument originally was erected in 1859 at the entrance to the property of Brigham Young, an early leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
According to the website, the monument has been replaced several times, with the present version topped by an eagle with a wingspread of 20 feet.