Driver accused of striking and killing pedestrian in Sandy was six times over Utah’s blood alcohol limit

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SANDY, Utah (ABC4) — The woman accused of striking and killing a 44-year-old man at a crosswalk in Sandy has been charged. Documents say she was six times over Utah’s blood alcohol limit.

Zoe Blankenstein, 55, of Draper, has been charged with automobile homicide, interfering with a police officer, having an open container or drinking alcohol in a vehicle, and failing to obey a stop sign.

On Jan. 15, just before 7 p.m., 44-year-old Joshua Perry was walking in the crosswalk at 1000 E and 11000 S, near Alta High School, in Sandy. A vehicle ran the stop sign and struck Perry, causing him to be thrown into another vehicle and critically injured.

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Medical crews responded and transported Perry to the hospital, but he was ultimately pronounced deceased.

At the scene of the crash, law enforcement located the vehicle that struck Perry, and reportedly found that the driver was Blankenstein. She told officers that she was driving home from celebrating her birthday at the Tin Roof Grill.

Despite there only being stop signs at the crosswalk, Blankenstein allegedly stated that she saw the light turn green and started driving when she suddenly struck a person who “came out of nowhere.”

Blankenstein was having difficulty maintaining her balance and had slurred speech. She declined to perform any sobriety tests, and officers say that she resisted being arrested, even urinating on herself and the officers’ shoes.

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Ultimately, Blankenstein was transported to the Sandy City Police Department for questioning. Police performed a blood draw test, and her toxicology report showed that she had a blood alcohol level of 0.309, which is six times Utah’s limit of 0.05.

During an interview with police, the 55-year-old allegedly admitted that she had started drinking around 4 p.m., but only had one beer and left the restaurant around 7 p.m. She told police she was under the influence of alcohol.

Blankenstein continued to tell officers that she struck Perry while driving, but claimed he “came out of nowhere” and repeatedly mentioned that he was wearing dark clothing.

The Sandy City Police Department searched Blankenstein’s vehicle and allegedly located a tumbler-style cup that was “full of amber-colored liquid that smelled like beer.”

Blankenstein was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.

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