SALT LAKE CITY — Two hit-and-run crashes occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning in Salt Lake City, with one resulting in the victim's death.
The first incident happened around 1:45 a.m. when police received a report of a man lying on the ground near 700 East and 500 South. Officers responded and the man was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Salt Lake City Police.
The man was later identified by police as 31-year-old Brandon Maher.
"It's really concerning when someone hits somebody and continues to drive off. Not only is it the law that you have to stop and make sure you render aid, but it's also the right thing to do," SLCPD public information officer Brent Weisberg said. "The fact that we had someone hit someone in the road, leave them there to die is extremely saddening."
Police said it appears Maher was in the crosswalk when a pickup truck heading south on 700 East hit him and didn't stop. Investigators are looking for a smaller, dark-colored Chevrolet pickup with damage to its front end.
The second hit-and-run happened around 4:45 a.m. in the Ballpark neighborhood. Two teenagers, ages 13 and 14, were reportedly crossing 1300 South in a crosswalk at West Temple when they were hit by a pickup, which was traveling west on 13th. The teens sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Members of the Salt Lake City Fire Department said it appeared the teens were dragged by the truck, which did not stop at the scene.
Police are looking for a dark-colored truck in this case as well, but they said it does not appear that the two instances are connected at this point in their investigation.
“I am very concerned about what is happening on our roadways,” SLCPD Chief Mike Brown said in a written press release. “Since Friday, four people have been hurt in our city while crossing the street. And sadly, overnight, a man died when a truck hit him and left him in the street. This is unacceptable.”
The two additional pedestrian injuries referred to by Brown happened Friday morning, when a driver hit a pair of children in a crosswalk — with a crossing guard present — near 1700 South and 700 East. The children were taken to the hospital but are expected to recover, and police said the driver is cooperating.
Weisberg says it takes a community effort to keep pedestrians and drivers safe on the roads, but he says the onus is on the drivers.
"We all have a responsibility to make sure we're slowing down, that we're looking for pedestrians, and as pedestrians and other roadway users we're looking out for cars," he said.
Weisberg's advice to pedestrians is to find a way to stay visible when walking, especially when it's dark.
"You don't necessarily have to have a full reflective vest, but it's a good idea to make sure that you have lights that maybe attach to your jacket or clothing, turning on your cellphone's light," he said.
