RIVERTON, Utah, April 23, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Police have identified the motorcyclist who died Sunday evening after colliding with a pickup truck in Riverton.
The deceased is Ryan Smith, 38, from South Jordan, the Unified Police Department said in a tweet Monday afternoon.
Police received a call just after 7:40 p.m. reporting the accident at 11800 South and about 3840 West, UPD Detective Chuck Malm said.
Malm said witness accounts and what officials observed at the scene indicate that the westbound truck made a left-hand turn to go south on 3840 West, and the eastbound motorcycle hit the side of the truck, then went under the truck and was pinned beneath it.
Smith was wearing a helmet and protective gear, Malm said, but his injuries from the impact and being pinned were too severe. Smith was in critical condition when he was extricated, and fire department and LifeFlight responders rendered aid immediately, but he died at the scene.
A fundraiser was set up Monday by a family friend to benefit the wife and child of Smith.
The YouCaring page says: “On the evening of Sunday April 22, Ryan decided to go on a ride on his motorcycle because of the beautiful weather. Not far from his home a truck turned in front of him, not seeing him because of the bright sun. Ryan was killed tragically in the impact and has left behind a devastated wife Serina and their daughter. Serina is heartbroken and needs our help taking care of the burial and getting back on their feet. Please help this family recover.”
Malm said the accident was being reconstructed, and investigators talked with several witnesses in an effort to determine the cause of the crash. He said the driver of the pickup truck was cooperating with police.
The time of day and the sun’s glare may have contributed to the incident, Malm told reporters, but he said it’s still too early to speculate as to exactly what happened.
