TAYLORSVILLE, Utah, April 29, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Police have identified the victim dead after a motorcycle accident Saturday night in Taylorsville.
The deceased was Shawn Garrett, who lived in West Valley City and turned 30 on April 13, according to his Facebook page.
The accident happened shortly after 8:30 p.m. near 3600 West and 5400 South, Unified Police Department Detective Ken Hansen told Gephardt Daily.
Garrett lost control of the motorcycle as he turned off of Bangerter Highway to go east on 5400 South.
“According to witnesses, speed was a factor in his losing control of the motorcycle,” Hansen said. “Unfortunately, the operator wasn’t wearing a helmet.”
Hansen said it appeared that the motorcyclist may have accelerated quickly while making the turn off of southbound Bangerter, but it wasn’t clear if speed or a braking error was what caused the bike to slide.
Medical staff provided care as soon as they arrived, but the man’s injuries were too severe and he died at the scene.
“Anyone over 18 isn’t required to wear a helmet,” Hansen said, “but a lot of fatal accidents wouldn’t have been fatal if they were wearing a helmet.”
I saw the aftermath and the man lying on the ground. We must have arrived maybe 10 sec after it happened. I will never forget what I saw. It’s burned in my brain. Why no helmet? It was very clear it was a fatal head injury. So many lives changed because of that one decision not to put on a helmet. I pray for the family. I’m so sorry.