Salt Lake Family Remembers Nephew Killed In Street Racing Crash

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A Utah family mourned the loss of their loved one after he was killed in a street racing crash in Salt Lake City.

The crash happened in the area of 900 South and 3000 West just before 1 a.m. Sunday. 

Dakota Enman 25, was making a U-turn when he was hit by one of the cars that was racing.

“I miss him,” said Enman’s aunt, Brittney Terrell. “He was someone who always loved everyone, who had a very good heart and had so many great dreams and hobbies.”

Terrell said Enman loved the street racing scene and was there to watch it that day when he was hit. 

Exclusive: The family of the man killed in a street racing accident speak out . @KSL5TV at 5 and 6 pic.twitter.com/thLav96Z6W

— Dan Rascon (@TVDanRascon) April 19, 2021

“It was an accident. It was a really bad accident,” said Enman’s uncle, Justin Enman. “He loved life and he was always looking forward to something better.”

Police said street racing can be very dangerous and that it’s an issue they’ve been dealing with for years.

The problem has only gotten worse, they said, adding that it comes with more crime. 

“Drug use, drug distribution, you have guns out there, you have prostitution. We’ve had rape cases come out of these, we’ve had shootings come out of these,” said Sgt. Keith Horrocks with the Salt Lake City Police Department. “It’s a very dangerous situation and we want to try and curb that.” 

One way police have tried to prevent it was by putting huge steel plates on some of the popular stretches where the races take place.

“You’ve driven over those plates before, but to try and race over them would be difficult. We’ve found some success of placing them in the roadway where we know these street racers are known to go out and race,” said Sgt. Horrocks. 

Enman’s aunt and uncle said they have no ill feelings towards the driver of the car that hit their nephew, adding that they are not calling for harsh charges against him. 

“I don’t think anyone is at fault. I think I would like there to be somewhere where the kids can go to race,” said Terrell. “It was an accident, and it was all because of a hobby, and [Dakota] would not want that person to suffer. I’m also concerned about the other individuals.”  

No charges have been filed against the driver.

Police said they are still investigating the crash. Their findings will then be turned over to the District Attorney’s office.