Police: Chase of a stolen truck ends with a bystander killed in crash
Oct 2, 2024, 11:17 AM | Updated: 7:40 pm
WEST VALLEY CITY — A Salt Lake City woman was killed Wednesday morning after a man driving a stolen truck crashed into her vehicle while he was fleeing from police.
West Valley City police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku told KSL TV that officers noticed 23-year-old Cesar Perez smoking marijuana at a park near Fairbourn Station Promenade & Plaza and approached him.
While talking to Perez, officers said he ran until he found an electrical worker’s truck, stole it outside the city hall’s parking lot, and hit the worker. The worker sustained minor injuries.
Vainuku said officers pursued Perez but lost track of him in the Valley Fair Mall parking lot. Shortly after, officers spotted the truck parked on a nearby street and attempted to approach it, not knowing if Perez was still inside.
Officers said Perez fled again in the car and rammed into two police cars. He continued driving away and went northbound on 2400 West, which is a southbound-only street.
Vainuku said Perez crashed into a 52-year-old woman’s car, rolling the stolen truck and killing her. Perez sustained minor injuries. Police did not say if any officers were hurt in this chase.
West Valley City police said Perez was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of felony charges of murder, aggravated robbery, fleeing, fleeing on foot, and aggravated assault.
This is a breaking news story and may be updated.
