Driver apologizes to victim of hit and run

After March 19’s hit-and-run accident, a male USU student has been charged with two counts: one for leaving the scene of an accident involving death or injury, and the second for failure to yield to a pedestrian at a crosswalk.

USU Police Lt. James Nye said the charge regarding leaving the scene of an accident is a class A misdemeanor and carries a maximum of nine months in jail and a $1,500 fine. The second is a class C misdemeanor that carries a maximum of three months in jail and a $500 fine. Nye said it is rare anyone is sent to jail on this charge, however. Most are just required to pay the fine, he said.

The student has not been served yet, but Nye said he expects he will be this week and then will appear before a judge sometime next week.

The male was driving near Bullen Hall, at 1100 E. 700 North, the evening of March 19 when he told police he became drowsy and struck USU student Sara Sharp, who was crossing the street. When he looked in his side-view mirror and saw Sharp being attended to, he said he decided to continue driving. Sharp was taken to Logan Regional Hospital with a broken femur and internal bruising that evening and was released Sunday, March 23, the same day the student turned himself into police. Police arranged a meeting between Sharp and the male that Sunday, during which he asked forgiveness. Sharp accepted his apology, Nye said.

-arie.k@aggiemail.usu.edu