Man is badly hurt in scooter crash

A 38-year-old man was in extremely critical condition Friday following a crash involving at Vespa scooter and a car in downtown Salt Lake City.

Investigators believe the man, whose name is not being released, was riding his scooter south on 300 West about 7:45 p.m. Thursday. As the man approached the intersection with 500 South, an oncoming car made a left turn toward the I-15 freeway entrance and the two vehicles collided, said Salt Lake Police Sgt. Robin Snyder.

The scooter driver was thrown onto the windshield of the car. He suffered open fractures to both legs and serious head trauma.

He was taken by ambulance to University Hospital and his injuries are considered life-threatening, Snyder said.

A second ambulance was dispatched to the scene to search for bone fragments from the man's legs, Snyder confirmed.

The driver and passenger of the car were not injured.

The crash remains under investigation, and no citations have been issued. Snyder said the injured man was not wearing a helmet, however, there was a helmet strapped to the scooter.

— Geoff Liesik