UHP cites speed in recent spate of motorcycle fatalities
Jul 5, 2023, 2:36 PM | Updated: 2:48 pm
FILE: A motorcyclist travels northbound I-15 in Murray on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. After multiple accidents involving motorcycles this summer, the UHP said they can point to common mistakes made by both motorcyclists and vehicle drivers. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Two law enforcement officers with the Davis County Sheriff’s Office were killed in a motorcycle crash on Monday in South Weber when the couple collided with a pickup truck hauling a trailer.
The victims were identified as Cpl. Steven Lewis, 54, and Deputy Jennifer Turner, 39.
So far this year, 462 motorcycle crashes have killed 22 riders, 13 of those deaths since Memorial Day, according to KSL.com.
Utah Highway Patrol Tropper Mike Alexander, who is a motorcycle instructor, said the biggest mistakes he’s seeing include speeding, taking turns too fast and drivers and riders not being aware of what’s around them.
“You’re sharing the road with 100,000 other people on the freeway, and you have a responsibility for their safety as well and that includes motorcyclists,” Alexander said.
He added the UHP is seeing fault split evenly between drivers and motorcyclists involved in recent fatal collisions. But knowing who’s at fault doesn’t change much.
“It’s always difficult whether it’s your hundredth fatality or your first,” Alexander said.
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2022:
- 50: total fatalities in 2022
- 26: fatalities at this time last year
- 9: fatalities from Memorial Day to July 1, 2022
- 551: crashes as of this time last year
2021:
- 40: total fatalities in 2021
- 19: fatalities as of this time in 2021
- 6: fatalities from Memorial Day to July 1, 2021
- 578: crashes as of this time in 2021
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