NewsLocal News

Actions

Police identify victims, say impairment a possible factor in triple fatal crash off Herriman Highway

Posted at 11:24 AM, Oct 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-01 19:46:15-04

HERRIMAN, Utah -- Police have identified the victims and are releasing additional details afterthree people were found dead inside a vehicle that crashed in a ravine off Herriman Highway

According to a press release issued Monday, the deceased are identified as 23-year-old Kevin Becerril of West Valley City, 20-year-old Wilmar Martinez-Gonzalez of West Valley City, and 18-year-old Luis Martinez-Guerra of Kearns.

Police were called to a ravine north of Herriman Highway at 7300 West Sunday around 4:33 p.m. after a passerby spotted the crashed vehicle (a bright red 2006 BMW 325I).

"That person actually walked down to the vehicle and discovered three deceased victims inside," said Lieutenant Cody Stromberg with Herriman City Police.

Police say there were no witnesses to the actual crash and they are still trying to determine exactly when the crash occurred, but based on evidence found inside the vehicle, they believe it occurred after 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

"There are a lot of people that live in this area, so nobody heard or saw anything. We didn't receive any 911 calls or calls of reckless drivers immediately prior to [the crash]," Stromberg said.

Police say Becerril, who was driving, and Martinez-Gonzalez, the front seat passenger, were not restrained while Martinez-Guerra was wearing a seat belt. All three are believed to have died on impact.

"It's a tragedy to be sure," said Stromberg.

While the crash remains under investigation, police stated two factors are believed to have played a role in this crash.

Speed, "at this point we would probably say in excess of 50 to 60 miles per hour," Stromberg said, and chemical impairment, "alcohol related impairments, as well as narcotic substances. So we're investigating impairment on all fronts at this time."

It could take weeks for police to receive a toxicology report back from the Medical Examiner to determine exactly what substances were involved and how large of a role they played in this crash, according to Herriman City Police.

Police said despite this tragedy, it is lucky that this is all that happened.

"It was likely that there was other traffic on the road when this happened," said Stromberg. "Could have easily impacted another vehicle and magnified this tragedy even further."

"We just encourage everybody to always wear your seat belt, buckle up. It doesn't matter if you're driving down the street or across the valley, wear your seat belt," Stromberg said. "Obey posted speed limit signs and traffic control devices and never drive impaired."

Fox 13 News will update this story as more details emerge.