SALT LAKE CITY – A man was stabbed in the back Sunday evening after an argument about who had the right of way broke out between a bicyclist and a pedestrian.
Salt Lake City police officials said the incident occurred in the area of 900 East and 500 South, and officials said things began when a cyclist approached a pedestrian and requested the pedestrian move out of the way.
The pair began arguing over which of them had the right of way, and the man on the bicycle eventually stabbed the pedestrian.
“The bicyclist turned around and came back and demanded that the pedestrian give him the right of way on the sidewalk,” said Lt. Carl Merino of the Salt Lake City Police Department. “An argument ensued, and the bicyclist stabbed our victim in the back… He was stabbed once in the back in the area of the kidney.”
The pedestrian was taken to a hospital in serious but stable condition, where he underwent surgery.
The man on the bicycle fled the scene, and police are trying to locate him. The suspect is described as being an adult white male between the ages of 50 and 60 who was riding a newer bicycle while wearing a red and blue helmet. He was last seen wearing an orange jacket and had a black and gray (or “salt and pepper”) mustache.
Anyone who sees the man is encouraged to contact police.
Under Utah law, a person on a bicycle (or other vehicle propelled by human power) traveling on a sidewalk, trail or path is required to yield the right of way to any pedestrian and give an audible signal before passing.
