FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 8, 2025

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SLCPD Investigating Critical Injury Hit and Run, Suspect Driver Arrested

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) arrested a 49-year-old man who is accused of felony hit and run following a crash in the Ballpark neighborhood that critically injured an 84-year-old man.

This investigation started at 4:55 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, when SLC911 received calls about a traffic crash with injuries near 1700 South State Street.

Officers arrived and learned someone driving a Ford F-350 hit an 84-year-old man and the driver did not stop, as required by law following a crash.

Paramedics took the man to the hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening at the time.

SLCPD officers later learned the man’s condition worsened and hospital staff downgraded his condition to critical.

During the investigation, officers developed suspect information about the driver and began looking for him.

During their investigation, officers found a truck believed to be involved near the crash site. Officers, with marked patrol cars, left their red and blue lights on for awareness and safety.

While investigating, officers determined the owner of the truck returned to the location, got in and left without contacting officers.

Later in the night, officers learned the suspected driver wanted to speak with law enforcement with his attorney.

Detectives responded to further the investigation.

After the interview, officers booked the suspected driver into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on a charge of felony hit and run.

Officers later found the suspect’s truck at a hotel near the University of Utah.

The driver is identified as 49-year-old Erik Conner.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

The information contained in this news release is based on a preliminary review of the details available to the Salt Lake City Police Department. As the investigation progresses, information may change.

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