WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, Oct. 10, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) – The Utah Highway Patrol has named the driver who died Monday morning in an alleged road rage shooting in West Valley City.
According to the UHP, Jose R. Ramirez, 50 was shot and killed about 5:20 a.m. on State Route 201.
Investigators say Ramirez, and another driver, identified as Thomas Jim Long, 44, were “involved in a road rage altercation between I-215 West and the 900 West off-ramp,” which caused both vehicles to crash into a concrete barrier near 1000 West and eastbound SR-201.
After the crash, Long allegedly opened fire on Ramirez, who died at the scene.
Court documents say Long told UHP troopers he was acting in self-defense.
He is now facing multiple charges, including:
- Murder, a first-degree felony
- Aggravated assault, road rage, a third-degree felony
- Reckless driving, road rage, a class B misdemeanor
The UHP says the case is still under investigation.
