The Provo Police Department has released the name of Luena Paulshon, 83, who died from injuries sustained after her blue Fiat was struck by another vehicle on Saturday. The department expressed condolences to her family and loved ones following the incident.
Paseto Penahipa Foalima, 38, was released from a hospital Monday morning and booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of automobile homicide. According to arrest documents, police were called to a hit-and-run at 500 West and 500 North on Saturday afternoon.
An officer later located two vehicles in a church parking lot at 100 West and 700 North. During an attempt to contact the driver of a white Volkswagen Passat, identified as Foalima, the officer reported smelling alcohol on his breath. The officer stated that when he attempted to detain Foalima, the driver accelerated away, causing the officer's vest to become caught in the door jam and resulting in the officer falling.
Foalima was later located near 400 North 100 West while fleeing from another accident. After a civilian pursued him on foot, officers used a Taser to gain control of him. However, Foalima fled again in his vehicle, eventually colliding with another car after running a stop sign at the intersection of 400 North 100 West.
The collision left an elderly victim in critical condition. That individual was transported to Utah Valley Hospital, where they were declared deceased at 8:09 p.m. due to injuries from the crash.
Police reported finding open containers inside Foalima's vehicle. A warrant for blood and urine tests returned positive results for alcohol, with a BAC level more than four times the Utah presumptive impairment limit of .05. During an interview, Foalima told police he had purchased two bottles of whiskey and estimated drinking one pint prior to the accident.
Foalima faces multiple charges including automobile homicide involving a device, assault on a peace officer, failure to respond to an officer's signal, and several traffic violations. He was ordered jailed without bail.
