COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah — One person died Saturday afternoon in a crash between a motorcycle and a car in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Unified Police announced just after 4 p.m. Saturday that they were at the scene of a crash between a motorcycle and another vehicle, adding that there were "serious injuries." They later updated that one person had died.
The crash happened near mile marker 5, near the Storm Mountain area.
According to Unified PD Sgt. Melody Cutler, a male motorcycle rider coming down the canyon crossed double-yellow lines in an attempt to pass slower traffic.
He hit an oncoming car head-on and died from his injuries.
The victim was identified Sunday morning as 55-year old Michael C. Burkey of South Jordan.
No one else was injured.
The road through the canyon (State Route 190) was closed in both directions for about an hour as crews responded to provide medical aid and to clear the scene.
Downhill traffic began moving again around 5 p.m., but the entrance to the canyon remained closed to uphill travel for some time. The Utah Department of Transportation later alternated one lane of travel between uphill and downhill.
The scene was cleared and both directions of travel reopened shortly after 7 p.m.
🚧#RoadClosureUpdate🚧 Attention travelers, crash has been cleared & #SR190 is now OPEN in both directions. Thanks for your patience today and safe travels!@UDOTTRAFFIC @BrightonResort @SolitudeMTN @BrightonUT https://t.co/OmMsVBxlWH pic.twitter.com/oMgvgbjzps
— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) April 11, 2021
