WEST VALLEY CITY, Salt Lake County, Utah, Oct. 5, 2026 — A man died on Saturday night, October 3, after being struck by two vehicles on Mountain View Corridor in West Valley City.
Officers responded to a report of a crash around 10:30 p.m. and found the man dead in the roadway when they arrived. He has since been identified by authorities as 62-year-old Rigoberto Castillo-Hernandez of West Valley City.
Both drivers involved stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation, according to the report. It is not yet clear which vehicle struck him first or whether both made contact before he came to rest in the road.
The circumstances that led to the crash remain under investigation. Officials have not released information on what the man was doing on the corridor before he was hit or whether charges are being considered.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Where Pedestrian Crashes Concentrate on Wide Arterial Roads
Corridors like Mountain View Corridor share traits that show up again and again in pedestrian crash data: multiple travel lanes in each direction, higher posted speeds, and long stretches between signalized crossings. Someone trying to cross on foot usually has to cover more distance, in less time, with less protection than at a standard city intersection.
These roads are typically built to move vehicle traffic efficiently between destinations, not to slow it down near people on foot. Lighting gaps at night, medians that don't offer a safe stopping point, and driveways or ramps that merge traffic at odd angles all add to the risk, especially after dark when visibility drops.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2023. Many of those deaths happened on roads with exactly this profile: wide, fast, and not designed with frequent marked crossings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
In Utah, as in most states, pedestrians generally have the right of way once they've entered a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Drivers are required to stop and yield, though pedestrians are still expected to use reasonable caution before stepping into traffic.
How can drivers reduce the risk of hitting someone on foot?
Slowing down near intersections and unlit stretches of road, scanning the shoulders and medians, and avoiding distractions like phones give drivers more time to react if someone steps into the roadway.
What injuries are most common in pedestrian crashes?
Pedestrians struck by vehicles usually suffer broken bones, head and spinal injuries, and internal injuries. The severity usually depends on vehicle speed and whether the person is thrown or dragged.
What are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents?
Common factors include driver inattention, low visibility at night, speeding, and pedestrians crossing outside of marked crosswalks or signalized intersections.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in West Valley City, Utah
Anyone who witnesses or is involved in a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately and stay at the scene until officers arrive. Even if injuries aren't immediately obvious, it's worth getting checked by a medical provider, since some injuries don't show symptoms right away.
Drivers should exchange information and cooperate fully with responding officers, as the two drivers in this incident did. Witnesses who saw what happened can help investigators piece together the sequence of events, which is usually the hardest part of reconstructing a pedestrian crash after the fact.
If you or someone you know was involved, keeping a copy of the police report and any medical records can help later, whether for insurance purposes or simply to have an accurate record of what occurred.
