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SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake police have identified the man killed late Friday in a head-on crash near the airport.
The crash happened about 9:30 p.m. in the industrial area of the Poplar Grove neighborhood near 120 S. 5600 West. When officers arrived, they found two cars with "extensive" damage, according to a news release from Salt Lake police.
A silver Infiniti car was flipped onto its top, while a red Kia had "major front-end damage," police said.
Firefighters rescued the driver of the Kia and a passenger in the Infiniti and took them to a hospital with injuries that did not appear life-threatening, according to the statement.
The impact of the crash caused the Infiniti to roll and trap its driver, police said. First responders requested a medical helicopter to land on 5600 West due to the driver's critical condition, police said, but he died on scene despite lifesaving efforts.
Police identified him Saturday as Wilber Cardenas, 19.
"The preliminary investigation shows Cardenas drove north in the southbound lanes of travel as (he) approached the red Kia. It appears before the crash, Cardenas swerved, which caused the Kia to hit the Infiniti as it slid and as the Kia continued south," according to the release.
Police added that alcohol "may have been a factor in Cardenas' driving."
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