SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 14, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A male pedestrian who ran from Utah Highway Patrol troopers trying to stop him from running through interstate traffic died Sunday after he was Tased and fell 30 feet from an off-ramp at 600 North.
According to a news release from UHP, the investigation began about 8:03 p.m. when the agency “began to receive multiple reports of a male pedestrian running through traffic on Interstate 15 near 600 North in Salt Lake City. Troopers searched the area several times but could not locate the individual.”
At approximately 9:06 p.m., the pedestrian was found in the northbound travel lanes, but ran after being confronted by troopers and ordered to stop, the statement says.
“Troopers coordinated to control traffic by attempting a slow down in the area and attempting to apprehend the individual to keep them from causing a crash or getting hit. As the male fled from officers on the northbound I-15 600 North off-ramp, he jumped over a cement barrier. Multiple attempts were made to obtain compliance.
“A Taser device was deployed to keep him from going back into the roadway. The male fell from the off-ramp an estimated 30 feet into the residential yard below.”
Officers from multiple agencies responded to the residence and gained access to the fallen pedestrian.
“Life-saving measures were attempted, but the male was pronounced dead at the scene.”
The Utah Highway Patrol initiated an Officer-Involved Critical Incident (OICI) protocol investigation into the incident, the statement says. The West Valley Police Department will lead that investigation.
“This is an ongoing investigation, and these details are preliminary.”
Gephardt Daily will share additional information as it is released.
