Driver bites UHP trooper after being pulled from burning vehicle in Taylorsville crash, 7 hospitalized

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC4) — Seven people were taken to the hospital after a crash in Taylorsville on Sunday, according to Taylorsville Police. One of those individuals reportedly bit a Utah Highway Patrol trooper’s arm during the incident.

Just before 1:15 p.m. on July 27, police responded to a crash at 2550 West 4700 South near the on-ramp to I-215. A Utah Highway Patrol trooper was reportedly waiting at the light to make a left to head southbound on I-215 when they witnessed the crash.

A white Cadillac ran a red light, according to Sgt. Ryan Carver, Taylorsville Police, crashing into a Dodge 1500 pickup truck and sending both vehicles off the road onto the side of a hill at the on-ramp. The trooper immediately assisted as other officers responded to the scene.

Officers pulled the driver of the Cadillac as he was trapped inside the vehicle, which had reportedly caught fire. According to Carver, the man was acting violently and trying to flee the scene after being pulled from the burning vehicle.

Multiple officers had to hold him down, Carver said. During the incident, the man reportedly bit a trooper in the arm, causing the trooper to later be taken to the hospital along with those involved in the crash.

Five people inside the Dodge pickup were also injured. More than one of those individuals had to be pulled from the truck as they were trapped inside, and all five were hospitalized.

The driver who allegedly bit the trooper has sustained a possible brain bleed, Carver said. Power was shut off at the intersection due to the crash. Officials are currently working to restore power.