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SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake man was charged Tuesday with intentionally running over a man outside a Salt Lake concert venue three years ago and then trying to run off, leaving the man in extremely critical condition.
Guadalupe De La Cruz Perez, 27, is charged in 3rd District Court with aggravated assault resulting in serious injury, a second-degree felony; DUI, a class A misdemeanor; plus driving on a denied license and having an open container in his car, class B misdemeanors.
On March 14, 2021, Salt Lake police were called ot the 801 Convention and Event Center, 1055 W. North Temple, on a report of an auto-pedestrian crash. They arrived to find a man on the ground "with tire marks across his stomach and blood covering his face," according to charging documents. "Officers were later informed that (the man) suffered two broken femurs, a broken pelvis, broken ribs and an injured spleen."
Witnesses said a fight broke out after a concert at the center was finished. A security guard told officers the victim and another man were seen "sprinting through the dirt lot while the driver of the vehicle, identified as Guadalupe De La Cruz Perez, following behind in a car," the charges state.
Both of the men were hit, "throwing the unknown male onto the hood, and dragging (the victim) underneath the car for approximately 16 feet," the charges state. The critically injured man was "still pinned underneath the vehicle" when others tried to help him.
The second man who was hit ran away when security guards approached him. Perez also attempted to leave, but guards were able to get him out of the car and hold onto him until police arrived.
"Officers spoke with Perez who was incoherent and unable to sit up by himself. Officers located Perez's Utah driving privilege card and a California identification and confirmed that both were suspended," the charges state.
A toxicology report from Perez's blood showed his blood-alcohol level at the time was 0.12% and cocaine was found in his system, the charges allege. Police reported finding an empty bottle of alcohol in the vehicle.
Perez was driving between 19 mph and 20 mph when he hit the victims, according to police.
Prosecutors say Perez has previously been convicted of DUI, negligent collision and is an alcohol restricted driver.
