Motorist struck and killed while changing tire in Parleys Canyon

PARLEYS CANYON, Utah — A woman changing a flat tire on the side of I-80 through Parleys Canyon was hit and killed Friday night, according to Utah Highway Patrol. The driver was later arrested on suspicion of automobile homicide and driving under the influence.

The Utah Highway Patrol affidavit states that at approximately 11:50 p.m. on Oct. 30, Peter Joseph Hoffelmeyer, 48, was traveling westbound on I-80 when his vehicle left its lane and crashed into a disabled vehicle parked on the right shoulder.

The disabled vehicle had a flat tire on the rear driver’s side, and a woman was outside attempting to change it when the crash occurred, according to the affidavit. The woman died at the scene.

According to the affidavit, a witness who stopped after the crash reported that Hoffelmeyer was in the driver’s seat of the traveling vehicle with the engine running, and he appeared to be under the influence.

Hoffelmeyer and his passenger were transported to a hospital with injuries that were initially unknown. The responding officer reported detecting an odor of alcohol on Hoffelmeyer’s breath at the hospital and observing red, glossy eyes and relaxed, sunken facial features.

Hoffelmeyer reportedly told the officer he had consumed four mixed drinks before driving and that his last drink was approximately an hour before driving, according to the affidavit.

The officer conducted a horizontal gaze nystagmus test and observed six of six clues. A preliminary breath test registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.14%, according to the affidavit.

The officer arrested Hoffelmeyer on suspicion of driving under the influence, stating he was not safe to drive, and was booked into Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of automobile homicide, a second-degree felony; driving under the influence, first offense within 10 years, a class B misdemeanor; and failure to operate within a single lane, an infraction.

The charges are allegations, and Hoffelmeyer is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.