WEST JORDAN, Utah, July 26, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — An attempted traffic stop by the Unified Metro Gang Unit is believed to have led to a fatal crash in West Jordan early Thursday.
Police have identified the deceased as Suwipya Silas, 21, of Tuba City, Arizona.
West Jordan P.D. Lt. Jeremy Robertson told Gephardt Daily officers initiated the stop shortly after midnight near State St. and Winchester Ave (6600 South).
The driver sped away and police made the decision not to pursue.
Minutes later a car matching the description of the suspect vehicle slammed into a large rock at the intersection of Winchester Ave. and 1300 West.
The driver and lone occupant died at the scene.
“We were notified by the gang unit that they had chased a similar vehicle,” Lt. Robertson said. “They weren’t able to identify it by license plate, but a similar vehicle, a little way up the road.”
Asked if police were confident it was the same vehicle, Robertson responded, “Correct. We’re working on that assumption right now.”
Gephardt Daily will update the story as more information becomes available.
