Today, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced he found no wrongdoing by Utah Highway Patrol troopers and personnel who detained Barry Spencer Young, who later died following a traffic stop.
On August 12, 2022, a UHP trooper pulled over a car driven by Mr. Young for an equipment violation in Murray, Utah. As the trooper talked to Mr. Young, he suspected Mr. Young may have been under the influence of a stimulant. During the traffic stop, Mr. Young became increasingly agitated. Troopers asked Mr. Young several times if he had ingested anything, but Mr. Young repeatedly denied it. Troopers called for medical personnel to respond to the scene, as it became apparent Mr. Young was in medical distress. Medical personnel arrived at the scene and transported Mr. Young to the hospital where he later died from cocaine toxicity.
UHP requested an OICI protocol investigation. The DA’s Office review of the facts led them to conclude that the incident did not fall within the statutory definition of an OICI. Nevertheless, the district attorney concluded that no wrongdoing had occurred and declined to file a criminal case against any law enforcement involved.