A MAN has been charged with murdering his wife by driving her over at Salt Lake City International Airport shortly after the pair returned from a vacation with their young kid.
Shawn Christopher Sturgeon, 38, was arrested on Monday after reportedly hitting and killing his wife Charlotte Sturgeon, 29, in the airport parking lot with the couple’s SUV.
According to Salt Lake City police, the collision happened at 2:40 p.m. on the second floor of the airport parking garage.
Shawn is seen in the garage putting a little child in the backseat before going into the driver’s seat, according to surveillance footage.
The SUV’s brake lights then illuminate as Shawn drives forward, running over his wife. He drives approximately 10 feet before coming to a halt to load her into the automobile.
“The victim seems to be standing in the open back passenger door as (her husband) reverses the vehicle. The victim’s legs can be seen flailing as he continues to reverse, causing her to fall to the ground under the truck “according to a Utah affidavit
“The responding officers noted that (Shawn) looked to be under the influence of alcohol, as shown by the stink emanating from his lips and watery bloodshot eyes,” according to the affidavit.
Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department claim Shawn “made repeated spontaneous comments that he ‘run my wife over,’ ‘killed my wife,’ and ‘I accidently ran her over,'” according to KSL.
Shawn reportedly beat his wife and drove himself and his wife to the airport garage payment booth to seek assistance for his seriously injured wife.
“Shortly after the incident, Sturgeon drove the car with his gravely injured wife inside to the airport parking payment booths and requested for assistance,” Salt Lake City police said in a statement. “Shortly later, this occurrence occurred.”
Police have not provided a probable motive for the collision, nor have they stated if they suspect Shawn intentionally hit his wife.
Charlotte was taken to the nearest hospital by paramedics after they were summoned to the garage.
Shawn has been detained on suspicion of vehicular homicide and criminal carelessness DUI of alcohol/drugs and is presently being held by police.
He is now being detained at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail and is not eligible for bail.
According to USA Today, it is unknown if Shawn has yet to employ a counsel to speak on his behalf.
“No other information about this case will be given,” Salt Lake City police informed USA Today.
“ICYMI: Police say a husband and wife had just returned from vacation when things went fatal,” 2KUTV news reporter Jeremy Harris tweeted.
