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Mentally disabled woman dead in Kearns auto-pedestrian accident after wandering from group home

An early Wednesday morning auto-pedestrian accident claimed the life of a mentally disabled woman in Kearns, Unified Police confirmed.

UPD Detective Chuck Malm said the victim was a 43-year-old victim resident of a group home near 5160 W. 5400 South, where the 5:15 a.m. incident occurred.

Malm said the woman had become upset for undetermined reasons and left the residence. Moments later, she was struck by two eastbound cars as she attempted to cross 5400 South.

It was dark at the time of the accident, the woman was wearing dark clothing, and she was not in a crosswalk. Both drivers, whom Malm described as distraught, said they did not see the woman in time to avoid collision.

UPD officers found the woman dead at the scene. Her identity was being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Malm said it was unlikely that either driver would face charges. “This appears just to have been a totally tragic accident,” he said.

UPD closed down 5400 South in both directions at 5200 West. That section of road was not expected to reopen until late Wednesday morning.