Mother concerned after deadly stolen vehicle crash involving underage driver
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (KUTV) — A stolen vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 24-year-old man — and led to a 15-year-old driver facing multiple charges — has prompted concerns from residents who have long observed dangers on their street.
The incident occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m. Thursday on Lehi Drive.
According to local authorities, the collision killed Adrian Hernandez-Rodriguez when when the teenager struck him with the stolen car.
While law enforcement clarified that this was not a pursuit, some witnesses in the community believe it escalated into one. Sara Patterson, a resident and mother, expressed her fear for her children's safety, highlighting how close they were to the scene of the crash while playing in front of their home.
Law enforcement had been monitoring the teen suspect from a distance with an unmarked vehicle. At one point, three individuals exited the stolen vehicle while two teenage passengers fled the scene.
The 15-year-old then re-entered the car and resumed driving. An officer down the road deployed spike strips onto the street, attempting to impede the suspect's progress. Authorities maintained that this was not a pursuit, citing the risks involved in pursuing the suspect through a residential neighborhood.
Roxanne Vainuku, a spokesperson for the police department, emphasized that the only vehicle tailing the suspect was an unmarked one.
Residents like Sara Patterson, however, disagreed with this assessment, pointing to the aftermath of the incident as evidence of a pursuit. Patterson, who has witnessed speeding vehicles on the street before, expressed her desire for speed bumps to be installed, emphasizing the importance of protecting children's lives.
Neighborhood residents have long voiced their concerns regarding speeding drives on their street. Patterson said they’ve reached out to city officials in the past, advocating for the installation of speed bumps, and they hope to continue the dialogue on this matter.
The 15-year-old driver involved in the stolen vehicle crash now faces several serious charges in relation to the incident and the resulting fatality. The teenager is currently being held in juvenile detention, awaiting further legal proceedings.
