One dead after SLC motorcycle crash; third serious crash in 12 hours

SALT LAKE CITY — Police are investigating after a person was killed in a motorcycle crash on 1300 East near 2300 South.

The crash happened before 8 a.m. Wednesday and officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department said southbound 1300 East will be closed at 2100 South for several hours.

SLCPD Det. Ben Nielsen said the motorcyclist was traveling southbound on 1300 East when a SUV pulled in front of him, resulting in the intersection collision. 

“Officers arrived on scene and found the motorcycle rider in the road and was being given lifesaving aid,” he said. 

Unfortunately, the motorcyclist died from his injuries on scene.

Police say the SUV driver — who was not taken to the hospital — is cooperating with authorities.

Nadean Boothe was in the area a little after the crash happened Wednesday morning.

“It just gives you that feeling. It gets ya,” Boothe said. 

This, a sobering reminder that behind every crash stat, there is a person. 

“It makes me not want to drive. I mean, you got to, but just be safe. Be safe,” Boothe said.

Nielsen added, “This is just a great reminder to the public to watch for motorcycles as you’re traveling. Take a second look, you know.”

According to Zero Fatalities, there have been over 200 motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries. Of those, over 30 have been fatal.

“Any time there’s a motorcycle on the road, we just consider it dangerous,” Nielsen said.

Wednesday’s crash was the 21st traffic-related fatality in Salt Lake City this year.

Three wrecks in SLC in less than 24 hours. @slcpd tell me they’re still working on updates on the other crashes before this one happened. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/hWu0PNBXoA

— Karah Brackin (@KB_ON_TV) August 3, 2022

SLC police also responded to two Tuesday night crashes that left one person dead and another with life-threatening injuries.

A car and motorcycle collided at 1440 S. Main Street around 9:15 p.m., leaving the 50-year-old male motorcyclist in critical condition.

Detectives believe the motorcycle attempted to pass the car while the car was changing lanes on Main Street.

Officers said they performed life-saving efforts before the motorcyclist was taken to an area hospital.

The 23-year-old driver remained at the scene of the crash and was cooperating with police, who said they observed signs of impairment and are investigating whether impairment played a factor in the crash.

The second crash happened about 30 minutes later at the intersection of 300 South and 700 East. Investigators believe a skateboarder was crossing the street against the traffic light when he was hit by the car.

Emergency crews attempted life-saving measures but the man died on scene. The driver of the car remained on scene and was cooperating with the investigation.

The SLCPD’s Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team is investigating both collisions.

One dead another seriously injured in separate SLC crashes

The three crashes come in the middle of the 100 Deadliest Days. To date, there have been over 65 fatalities since the start of Memorial Day weekend.  

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ROAD TO ZERO: KSL TV is committed to being part of the solution. Our “Road to Zero Fatalities: You Hold the Key Campaign” encourages everyone to follow the ABCs of safer driving:

• Drive attentively.
• Drive buckled.
• Drive calm.