LEHI — A 31-year-old man has been charged with murder following a motorcycle crash that killed his passenger on May 3 in Lehi.
Justin Kimball Strickland, of Tooele, faces several charges including murder, DUI with prior convictions, and reckless driving, according to 4th District Court records. His passenger, identified only by initials K.L., died two days after the incident.
Strickland was allegedly traveling over 78 mph on Redwood Road when he collided with another vehicle that had stopped due to a light malfunction. Neither Strickland nor K.L. was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where K.L. suffered severe head injuries, and Strickland sustained a compound leg fracture, later requiring amputation. Authorities reported that Strickland’s motorcycle was observed swerving between lanes prior to the collision.
According to police, Strickland had been at a sports bar before the crash, where he was served alcoholic beverages. His blood-alcohol level was measured at .077% two hours post-accident, above the legal limit of .05% in Utah. His motorcycle license was also suspended at the time of the accident.
Strickland has prior alcohol-related convictions and is scheduled to appear in court for further proceedings.