PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

May 8, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

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SLCPD Urging Safe Driving Practices After Responding to Nine Traffic Crashes

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department is reminding community members about safe driving practices after officers and the department’s Police Community Response Team (PCRT) responded to three significant crashes and six other crashes in less than 10 hours.

The first significant crash investigation started at 4:44 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, when SLC911 received information about a crash near South Temple Street and West Temple Street. Based on the preliminary information, officers believed speed and impairment were factors in this crash.

Paramedics took the driver, a 50-year-old man, to the hospital. Detectives believe the driver, while impaired, crashed his SUV into a light post. The driver is now in stable condition despite initially having critical injuries. The SLCPD’s Collision Analysis & Reconstruction (CAR) Team and SLCPD Crime Lab technicians responded to the scene.

The second significant crash investigation started at 12:17 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, when SLC911 received reports about an SUV that left the road and hit a tree near 1950 South 300 East. Based on the preliminary information, the SUV driver had a medical emergency, drove up onto the sidewalk, hit a fence, and then crashed into a large tree. Paramedics and Salt Lake City Fire treated the driver on the scene for minor injuries.

The third significant crash investigation started at 12:52 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, when SLC911 received a call about a four-vehicle crash at 500 South 400 West.

Based on the preliminary information one of the drivers involved ran a red light and struck three other vehicles. A Division Chief with Salt Lake City Fire happened to be driving by the crash moments after it occurred and provided a medical assessment for incoming units. Three of the four drivers had minor injuries. Officers issued the driver who ran the red light a ticket.

In addition to the crashes listed above, the Salt Lake City Police Department also responded to six other crashes between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. on May 8, 2023.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is reminding drivers to wear a seatbelt, drive alert, and eliminate all distractions. In addition, drivers are reminded to always follow posted speed limits and adjust their speed according to road and weather conditions. Maintaining a safe following distance from the car in front of you can help provide additional reaction time in case of sudden stops or emergencies.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is also reminding drivers about Utah’s “Slow Down, Move Over” law. While on the scene of the crash at 500 South 400 West, several drivers tried driving around emergency vehicles despite there being active road closures and emergency crews on the scene. Driving through a road closure is against the law and could result in a ticket or arrest, but more importantly, doing so is extremely dangerous to the emergency personnel.

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.

Four photos from the different crash scenes are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Photo: An SUV crashed into a large tree near 1950 South 300 East (Photo by: Salt Lake City Police Department – May 08, 2024).

Photo: Two trucks crashed near 500 South 400 West (Photo by: Salt Lake City Police Department- May 08, 2024).

Photo: A car involved in a crash near 500 South 400 West (Photo by: Salt Lake City Police Department- May 8, 2024).

Photo: A car crashed after a side-impact crash near 865 South 200 East (Photo by: Salt Lake City Police Department- May 8, 2024).

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