Hit-and-run driver comes forward

A 21-year-old USU student voluntarily turned himself in to police Sunday, admitting he was the driver who struck Sara Sharp in a hit-and-run accident March 19.

USU Police Lt. James Nye said police have filed with the Cache County Attorney’s Office and are now awaiting charges against the male. The district attorney will decide what charges will be pressed, but Nye said police suggested ones they think appropriate, like leaving the scene of an injury accident and failing to yield at a crosswalk.

Nye said after the male decided to “come forward and do the right thing,” he described the details of the accident, telling police he became drowsy while driving near 1100 E. 700 North. He said he realized he had hit someone and did break but it was too late. Nye said the male looked in his side-view mirror, saw Sharp being attended to and decided to just keep driving.

The male told police he hadn’t slept or drank since the incident because of the guilt he felt.

After turning himself in, police arranged a meeting between Sharp and the male during which he asked forgiveness, Nye said. Sharp accepted his apology.

Nye said, “It is very gracious when a victim forgives their offender.”

Sharp was released from the hospital Sunday, Nye said, after receiving a broken femur and internal bruising in the accident.

-arie.k@aggiemail.usu.edu