SLCPD Investigating Deadly Crash in Poplar Grove Neighborhood
April 5, 2025 |
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 7, 2025 Media Contact Information |
Media Request Form |
SLCPD Provides Update on Deadly Crash in Poplar Grove Neighborhood; 24-Year-Old Man ArrestedSALT LAKE CITY — Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) have safely arrested a 24-year-old man for automobile homicide after he allegedly drove while under the influence of alcohol, causing a crash that killed a 42-year-old man. The suspect is identified as Colby Bia. This investigation began at approximately 7:16 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025, when SLC911 received multiple calls about a crash at 900 West and 200 South. Officers from the SLCPD’s Pioneer Patrol Division, Salt Lake City Fire Department, and Gold Cross responded and found a crash involving three vehicles. Members of the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction (CAR) Team responded to investigate. Based on the preliminary investigation, officers believe Bia ran a red light and crashed into another car. The driver of that car, Ernesto Puga, died on scene. Puga’s juvenile passenger sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Two other people were treated for injuries and released on scene. During the investigation, officers saw several open containers of alcohol in Bia’s car, according to court documents. Bia also exhibited signs of being impaired on scene and was investigated for driving under the influence (DUI). Officers obtained a court authorized search warrant to obtain a blood sample from Bia. It is alleged, Bia resisted officers attempts to get a blood sample and he had to be restrained. Officers booked Bia into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of automobile homicide, negligently operating a vehicle while causing injury with two prior DUI convictions in the past ten years, obstruction of justice, interfering with a peace officer, possession of an open container of alcohol in a vehicle, failure to obey a traffic control signal, driving on a suspended license, alcohol restricted driver violation and assault by a prisoner as well as several outstanding warrants. The Salt Lake City Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction (CAR) Unit, part of a multi-jurisdictional task force, specializes in investigating crashes with severe injuries or death in the Salt Lake Valley. SLCPD CAR detectives are highly trained in areas such as collision examination, speed analysis, vehicle dynamics, and evidence collection. They meticulously map crash scenes, analyze vehicle and occupant movement, and manage cases from evidence collection to prosecution. Their work helps ensures thorough and accurate investigations, collaborating with other regional law enforcement agencies to handle the most serious crashes effectively. 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. ###
|
|
