Troopers catch wrong-way DUI driver on I-80 in Parley’s Canyon

A drunk driver drove the wrong-way up Parley's Canyon in I-80 for almost 10 miles before being stopped by Utah Highway Patrol. Photo: Utah Highway Patrol

PARLEY’S CANYON, Utah — On Wednesday night, Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) Troopers were able to catch a wrong-way DUI driver on I-80 in Parley’s Canyon before any serious accident occurred.

Officers said the truck driver traveled the wrong way for nearly 10 miles, from mile marker (mm) 128 near Sugarhouse to mm 137 up the canyon.

“Thankfully no one was hurt,” Assistant Superintendent for Utah Highway Patrol Jeff Nigbur said.

UHP recently held a press conference about the spike in wrong-way drivers, emphasizing that they are seeing a 49% increase in such incidents compared to last year. They largely blame drunk driving.

“It’s not illegal to drink in the state of Utah, but we can’t get behind the wheel when we’re intoxicated or things like this happen,” Nigbur said.