Vehicle runs red light and hits e-motorcycle, killing rider, police say
Aug 14, 2025, 8:53 AM | Updated: 9:33 am
FILE — Police lights shown in West Valley City on Sept. 24, 2024. (Nathanial Gillis, KSL TV)
(Nathanial Gillis, KSL TV)
RIVERTON — A man was killed while riding an e-motorcycle in Riverton Thursday morning after being hit in an intersection. Police said the driver who hit him ran a red light.
The motorcyclist was identified by police hours after his death as 21-year-old Owen Thomsen.
Riverton Police Public Information Officer Joshua Lee said the accident happened in the area of 1300 West and 12600 South.
Lee said a man was driving a utility vehicle and ran a red light “at least a couple of seconds after it turned red.” The driver was also suspected of driving at high speeds.
Police said the e-motorcycle and victim were found 186 feet from the intersection after the crash.
Thomsen was taken to the hospital in serious condition at approximately 6 a.m., but he died shortly after arriving, Lee said.
The driver of the utility vehicle was an adult man, and he was cooperating with police. Lee said at the time of the crash, there was also a woman in the passenger seat.
Lee also said the type of e-motorcycle the victim was riding was not street legal, and it’s important to follow safety protocols while riding them.
Editor’s Note: This story initially stated the man was riding an e-bike. Police later clarified, saying it was an e-motorcycle.
Contributing: Mary Culbertson, KSL TV
