1 dead following altercation at Salt Lake City gas station

SALT LAKE CITY — A 62-year-old man died Wednesday night following an altercation inside a downtown gas station.

Police say a short physical altercation between two men took place about 7 p.m. inside the Smith's Express at 873 E. South Temple. The 62-year-old man appears to have started the altercation, police said, resulting in the other man elbowing the victim in the head.

Following the scuffle, the 62-year-old man appeared to be out of breath and stumbled to his car in the parking lot, said Salt Lake City Police Lt. J.R. Nelson. The man got into his car and slumped over the steering wheel.

Nelson said the 62-year-old man may have been drinking prior to the altercation. He was taken by ambulance to Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The second man, described as in his 50s, was being questioned by police. A clerk inside the store during the altercation also was being interviewed Wednesday night.

It does not appear the two men knew each other, Nelson said.

The 62-year-old man's identity was not released Wednesday night, pending notification to next of kin.

Cause of death will be determined by the state medical examiner, police said.

— McKenzie Romero Twitter: @McKenzieRomero