PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

February 19, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

SLCPD Investigating Overnight Crash, Driver in Critical Condition

SALT LAKE CITY — Detectives assigned to the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Crash Analysis Reconstruction (CAR) Team are investigating what led up to a SUV crashing into a tree overnight.

This investigation started at 12:47 a.m., on Sunday, February 19, 2023, when SLC911 took a call from someone reporting a SUV crashed into a tree near 980 South 900 West.

The Salt Lake City Fire Department provided life-saving aid to the driver, a 20-year-old man.

Gold Cross Ambulance and paramedics took the man to the hospital where he remains in critical condition.

No other people were inside of the SUV.

Because of the severity of injuries, the on-duty watch commander requested the help of the CAR Team.

Based on the preliminary information, detectives believe the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and lost control of the SUV before crashing into a tree.

Detectives are looking into whether or not drugs or alcohol played a factor into the crash.

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.

A photo taken on scene is being released. Media may use this photo with proper credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

No further information on this case is being released. Neither the PIO nor the On-Duty Watch Commander are available for interviews.

###