SLCPD Investigating Fatal Crash, Downtown Traffic Heavily Impacted

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department is continuing its investigation into a deadly crash involving a motorcyclist and a passenger vehicle.

This investigation started at 4:10 p.m. when Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown happened to be in the area of 400 South and West Temple and saw a significant traffic disruption.

Chief Brown arrived on scene, began blocking traffic, notified dispatch about a crash, and requested medical assistance.

Prior to the Chief’s arrival, community members had already started CPR on a victim.

The motorcyclist, 36-year-old Josue Vega, died on scene. Next of kin notifications have been completed.

As paramedics arrived on scene, an investigator with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, who also happened to be in the area, responded to assist with traffic control and securing the crime scene.

The preliminary investigation shows the motorcyclist was traveling southbound on West Temple at a high rate of speed when he crashed into the SUV. Investigators believe, based on witness statements, that Vega was attempting to beat a yellow light.

The driver of the SUV was traveling northbound on West Temple and turning westbound on to 400 South.

The driver remained on scene and is fully cooperating with the investigation.

A victim advocate with the Salt Lake City Police Department responded to provide victim services and advocacy for the driver of the involved vehicle.

Because of the crash, 400 South was closed from Main Street to 200 West and West Temple was closed from 300 South to 500 South. This caused significant delays to the evening rush hour commute.

The Salt Lake City Police Department appreciates the patience of drivers and pedestrians impacted by this crash.

All roads have since re-opened.

This crash marks the 13 traffic-related fatality in Salt Lake City for 2022.

The Crash Analysis Reconstruction (CAR) Team and SLCPD Crime Lab technicians responded to the scene.

The CAR Team is a multi-jurisdictional crash team that investigates crashes involving serious physical injuries or death. Members of the CAR Team receive specialized training in collision examination, speed analysis, vehicle dynamics, occupant kinematics, scene photography, surveying equipment, crash scene mapping, evidence collection and computer aided drawing programs.

The CAR Team includes law enforcement from the Salt Lake City Police Department and several other Salt Lake Valley law enforcement agencies.

A SLCPD PIO responded to the scene to provide updates to media.

Four photos from the scene are being released.

No further information on this case is being released. Neither the PIO nor the On-Duty Watch Commander are available for interviews.