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SLCPD Identifies Driver Booked into Jail Following Deadly Crash

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department released the identity of a 20-year-old man who is accused of fleeing from officers and then crashing his car, at high speed, which resulted in the death of a 21-year-old man.

This investigation started at 12:16 a.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2023, when SLC911 received information about a shooting that had just occurred near 923 South State Street.

As officers arrived on scene, they saw a car leaving at a high rate of speed eastbound on 900 South.

Based on the preliminary information available at this time, officers had information to believe the people inside the car may have been involved in the shooting that had just occurred.

Salt Lake City police officers attempted to stop the car, but the driver, Josue Yahir Hernandez-Perez, refused to pull over. Officers began following the car.

Hernandez-Perez crashed at 1100 East 900 South. The crash caused the car to roll-over.

When officers arrived on scene, they found Douglas Rodriguez, critically injured, and Hernandez-Perez pinned inside the car.

Salt Lake City police officers spent several minutes executing a dangerous and technical rescue of both people trapped inside the car prior to Salt Lake City Fire arriving on scene.

The passenger, Rodriguez, died on scene.

Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears Hernandez-Perez crashed after failing to navigate the roundabout while traveling at a high rate of speed.

Officers did not utilize any pursuit interventions, such as a “PIT maneuver” or “stop sticks.”

Paramedics took Hernandez-Perez to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Because the incident resulted in someone’s death, the Salt Lake City Police Department invoked the officer-involved-critical-incident protocol.

OICI Protocol Team 3, led by West Valley City Police, is leading this investigation.

After being released from the hospital, officers and detectives with the West Valley City Police Department arrested Hernandez-Perez.

West Valley City police booked Hernandez-Perez into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of manslaughter, felony fleeing, reckless driving, and driving without a license.

After the pursuit, as officers started reviewing evidence and speaking with witnesses, they learned the shooting may have happened following a large party near 880 South Edison Street.

The shooting resulted in one person, a 20-year-old man, being injured. Paramedics took that person to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The name of the shooting victim is not being released.

No additional information about this case is being released.

No interviews are being provided on this matter, pending the ongoing investigation.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information about the shooting should call 801-799-3000.

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