UHP trooper sacrifices himself to stop wrong-way DUI driver

The trooper sustained minor injuries and was later released from the hospital. Photo: Utah Department of Public Safety

SALT LAKE CITY — At roughly 4:18 a.m. on Sunday, a red SUV on I-15 was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes at 600 South.

Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) Trooper Devin Henson located the vehicle near 4500 South and sacrificed himself and the vehicle to stop the SUV, whose driver was later arrested and booked into jail for a DUI.

Trooper Henson suffered minor injuries from the crash and was later treated and released from a local hospital.

“Trooper Henson’s quick actions and bravery no doubt saved lives this morning,” UHP said in a press release.

The incident is the 29th wrong-way vehicle UHP troopers have stopped this year. There were 158 total wrong-way drivers in 2021.

“The driver had no injuries and was arrested with a BAC of .14–nearly 3x the state limit. I was able to thank this brave trooper for his actions and was once again reminded how lucky we are to have brave men and women that protect us every day,” Gov. Spencer Cox said in a tweet.