SALT LAKE CITY — One person is dead after a late-night shooting led to a police chase ending in a car crash early Sunday morning.
Josue Yahir Hernandez-Perez, 20, was arrested in connection to the incident for manslaughter, failing to respond to an officer, reckless driving and no valid license.
According to Salt Lake City Police, the incident began just after midnight, when officers were dispatched to the area of 900 South State Street to investigate reports of a shooting that happened after a large party on Edison Street.
Once officers arrived, they saw a car speed off on 900 South, headed east. They also found a person with a non-life-threatening injury and transported them to the hospital.
Officers suspected the occupants of the speeding car were connected to the shooting and attempted to pull the car over, leading to a chase.
When the speeding car attempted to navigate "The Whale" roundabout at 1100 East, it rolled over. Two people were in the vehicle at the time, one of whom died at the scene.
After Hernandez-Perez was arrested, he admitted to police that he had met up with the other individual earlier in the evening and that the passenger began to "get anxious" upon seeing police in the area.
Hernandez-Perez admitted to seeing police lights behind him and fled in response, crashing soon after.
"He stated in the aftermath of the crash the victim was on top of him inside the vehicle," arresting documents state. "He stated first responders on scene told him the victim would most likely not make it."
Although no officer used their firearm during the incident, SLCPD has invoked the Officer Involved Critical Incident protocol. The three officers involved in the pursuit are on paid administrative leave.
Detectives are still seeking information about the case. Anyone with any information, photos, or video of the shooting prior to the chase is asked to call SLCPD at 801-799-3000.
