A Tuesday evening commute in Murray turned tragic when a car and a motorcycle collided at 50 East and 5300 South, killing a motorcyclist and shutting down traffic for hours.
The crash was reported just after 5 p.m. First responders pronounced the rider dead at the scene and transported the car’s driver to a hospital with minor injuries. Westbound 5300 South at State Street remained closed for two or more hours while officers conducted their investigation.
What police say
According to Murray police, a car traveling north made a left-hand turn onto 50 East and struck a motorcycle that was heading west on 5300 South. Officers described the rider as a man in his mid-20s. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car stayed on site, spoke with investigators, and was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
Early reports suggested the rider was not wearing a helmet. That detail was later corrected after police clarified he had been wearing one, according to KSLTV.
Helmet details and safety context
Helmet use remains one of the most effective ways to reduce serious injury and death for motorcyclists, and state data show unhelmeted riders face significantly higher odds of fatal injury. Utah’s Triennial Highway Safety Plan reports that motorcyclists account for a disproportionate share of traffic deaths in the state and that riders who did not wear helmets were about 1.6 times as likely to suffer fatal injuries.
The plan also notes that younger riders make up a large portion of motorcycle crashes in Utah, which safety officials say complicates prevention efforts, according to the Utah Highway Safety Office’s Triennial Highway Safety Plan.
Investigation ongoing
Crash investigators with Murray police remained on scene gathering physical evidence and looking for any available video or witness statements to help clarify the sequence of events.
The department’s public information officer, Kristin Reardon, is listed as the media contact on the city’s police administration page, according to the Murray City Police Department. Initial coverage of the crash and subsequent updates were reported by KSLTV.
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have relevant video to contact Murray police to assist in the investigation. Officials said additional details will be released once they are confirmed.
