Woman Charged in Hit-and-Run Incident Involving Motorcyclists in Salt Lake City

A woman from Colorado Springs, identified as Jordan Alexandra Edwards, has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run incident that occurred in Salt Lake City in August 2023. Edwards, who was reportedly driving her coworker’s rental car without permission, allegedly struck two motorcyclists while under the influence of alcohol.

According to the indictment from the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office, Edwards was in Utah for a business event at the time of the incident. Her coworker stated in the indictment that Edwards did not have permission to drive the rental car but took the keys and vehicle anyway after consuming alcohol.

Edwards is facing multiple charges, including two counts of negligently operating a vehicle resulting in serious bodily injury, which is a third-degree felony. Additionally, she is charged with theft of a firearm or operable motor vehicle, a second-degree felony, for gaining unauthorized control of her coworker’s rental car. The third charge is failure to respond to an officer’s signal to stop, also a third-degree felony.

A West Jordan Police officer’s statement, included in the indictment, detailed the response to a hit-and-run report in Salt Lake County. The officer’s investigation revealed that Edwards collided with two motorcyclists while they were traveling in the same direction. Edwards allegedly failed to slow down as she approached the two motorcyclists at a red light.

One of the motorcyclists suffered severe injuries, including a vertebral artery injury and a fractured sacrum, according to court documents. The other motorcyclist was trapped underneath the rental car and dragged into the intersection along with his motorcycle as Edwards continued to drive. The second motorcyclist sustained broken ribs, internal bleeding, and a fractured pelvis, among other injuries.

Multiple witnesses reported seeing Edwards push the motorcyclist into the intersection before reversing the car and fleeing the scene. When a West Jordan Police officer caught up to Edwards, he activated emergency lights in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop, but Edwards failed to comply. Eventually, Edwards stopped in a business parking lot, where several officers detected the smell of alcohol on her breath and person.

Officers reported that Edwards claimed she had stayed at the accident scene but appeared disoriented. Shockingly, when informed about the injuries sustained by the motorcyclists, Edwards reportedly laughed and stated that she did not intentionally cause the incident.

Subsequent tests revealed that Edwards was driving under the influence, with a blood alcohol level four times the legal limit. She tested positive for both alcohol and THC, the active component of cannabis. The indictment argues that Edwards is a flight risk and poses a danger to the community due to her actions of fleeing from officers and driving under the influence.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Edwards will face the charges brought against her, which include the serious offenses of negligently operating a vehicle resulting in serious bodily injury and theft of a firearm or operable motor vehicle.