Bonneville County deputies say a driver struck a sedan at 81 miles per hour, splitting the vehicle in two and sending the rear half nearly 90 feet from the intersection.
The crash occurred on June 27 at the corner of East 49th North and North 25th East. When officers arrived, the front portion of a silver Mazda 3 sat in the middle of the intersection while the back end rested far down the road. Court documents describe the sedan as having been “split completely in half.”
John Conrad Anderson II, 48, was arrested on Sept. 22 and faces charges of aggravated driving while reckless and malicious injury to property. If convicted, Anderson could face up to 20 years in prison and fines totaling $6,000.
Speed Data Revealed
Deputies obtained a warrant on July 6 to access the event recorder data from Anderson’s Ford pickup truck. The digital records showed Anderson was traveling at 107 mph just five seconds before impact. He was accelerating for 1.8 seconds prior to the collision and hit the Mazda while moving at 81 mph.
Anderson told investigators he was driving westbound when he collided with the southbound Mazda. He could not recall whether the traffic signal was green or red at the time of the crash. Officers noted Anderson showed no signs of impairment but cited him for failing to obey a red signal.
Witness Accounts and Injuries
A witness reported seeing Anderson driving between 90 and 100 mph in a 25 mph construction zone on June 28, the day after the crash. The observer stated Anderson nearly struck a pedestrian and blew through closed road signs and stop signs near Ammon Road.
The driver of the Mazda suffered minor injuries and was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. During a follow-up interview on July 7, the victim reported having five staples in her head, a diagnosed concussion, and pain in her shoulders, collarbone, and hip.
Court Proceedings
Anderson has been appointed a public defender through the Idaho State Public Defender’s Office. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6.