Salt Lake City police investigate 3 crashes involving pedestrians, bicyclists in past week

SALT LAKE CITY — In the past week, the Salt Lake City Police Department has responded to three serious injury crashes — two involving pedestrians and one involving an electric bicyclist.

Officers responded to a crash on Feb. 17, a block West of Liberty Park, where 24-year-old Julian Navarette crashed his Chevy Tahoe into a car, a scooter and a man standing in a nearby parking lot, pinning the man against a building. The police booking affidavit says Navarette was chased down by witnesses after he tried to run away, and the injured man was taken to the hospital with a broken femur and large laceration on his leg.

Navarrete was booked into the Sal Lake County Metro Jail for investigation of charges including driving under the influence and failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving an injury.

A second crash happened Thursday, around 9:30 p.m. near 700 East Wilmington Avenue, when police said a 35-year-old man tried to cross commuter rail lines, and ran into the road in the process. A truck going south on 700 East hit the man, who was then taken to the hospital in critical condition. According to police, the man's condition improved, and his injuries are not considered life-threatening.

In a third incident, near 600 North and 900 West, officers say they found a man, 28, who was hit by a car as he rode his electric bike across an intersection on a red light on Friday.

The drivers involved in the second and third crashes were not arrested or cited, according to police.

After these accidents, the Salt Lake City Police Department is asking the public to "use extra caution when using the road during inclement weather or darkness." They say, "never pass another vehicle at or near an intersection. The car nearby maybe slowing down for a person for whom you cannot see."

Finally, officers suggest wearing reflective clothing and using lights if walking or riding near a road.

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