SALT LAKE CITY — A man accused of driving the wrong way while intoxicated and causing a head-on collision a year ago has been charged.
Patrick Robert Dunne, 41, of Cottonwood Heights, was charged Thursday in 3rd District Court with DUI and failing to stay at the scene of an injury accident, both third-degree felonies; reckless endangerment, a class A misdemeanor; being an alcohol-restricted driver, a class B misdemeanor; and failing to drive on the correct side of the road, an infraction.
On Feb. 15, 2019, Dunne was driving on the wrong side of the road near 7600 South and 900 East when he hit another vehicle head-on, according to charging documents.
Witnesses observed Dunne get out of his vehicle after the crash, fall “three times on his face,” run around his vehicle to grab his 2-year-old daughter, and then run from the scene — crossing five lanes of traffic — while holding his daughter, the charges state.
The girl suffered a spinal fracture and abdominal injuries that required surgery, according to the charges.
Dunne’s blood-alcohol content registered at 0.33, or nearly seven times the legal limit.
Dunne is also currently charged with sexual abuse of a minor, a third-degree felony, for an alleged incident in 2018, according to court records.