License-plate holder aids in hit-run search

Salt Lake police Tuesday were tracking down a hit-and-run driver who struck a bicyclist, causing minor injuries.

As of 2 p.m., investigators said they were looking for a "person of interest" in the case.

About 9:15 a.m., the driver of a black Toyota Camry that was making a turn at the intersection of 400 South and 300 West failed to yield to a bicyclist, and the car struck him, said Salt Lake police detective Dennis McGowan.

"The driver stopped, got out, took a look, got back in and left," McGowan said.

The bike suffered heavy damage, but the injuries to the rider were minor, McGowan said.

The accident also resulted in the vehicle's license-plate holder falling off. Detectives took the plate holder, which came from an auto dealer, to see if they could follow any leads.

Based on the plate holder and what officers told them about the accident, employees came up with the name of a possible person responsible, McGowan said. The dealership contacted that person, who in turn retained an attorney, he said.

"It's not clear how the dealership knew," McGowan said.

Investigators had not made any arrests as of Tuesday afternoon.

— Pat Reavy