SALT LAKE CITY — A former Utah Transit Authority bus driver was acquitted Friday of charges that accused her of negligently driving when she hit and killed a notable Salt Lake businessman in 2012.
Cheryl Anne Kidd, 51, was charged in Salt Lake City Justice Court with negligent operation causing personal injury, a class B misdemeanor, and failing to yield the right of way at a marked or unmarked crossway, an infraction.
But after an hour of deliberation following a three-day trial, a jury determined that Kidd was not guilty of either charge.
Richard Wirick, known as "Mr. Downtown" for his involvement in downtown Salt Lake City's business community, was hit and killed at the intersection of 400 South and 200 East on Feb. 21, 2012.
Police reported Wirick had been walking north across the intersection when the light turned green for westbound traffic before he had crossed completely. The first two lanes of traffic stopped and waited for him, but the bus driven by Kidd was unable to stop, striking him and pinning him underneath for almost 45 minutes.
Wirick's family later filed a lawsuit against Kidd, who was driving the bus without any passengers. The lawsuit claims that although Wirick was walking against traffic, he still had the right of way.
Wirick, who was 82 at the time, apparently survived the initial crash but died later the same day. He had owned and managed the Oxford Shop shoe store for 60 years and was involved in several local civic organizations.
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