A 48-year-old Taylorsville man with multiple previous DUI arrests is facing several felony charges following a fatal hit-and-run crash that left a 65-year-old motorcyclist dead on Sunday. Police say the suspect, identified as Dennis Kilgore, attempted to flee the scene and switch vehicles before being arrested.
Fatal Crash Details
The collision occurred around 5:20 p.m. near 5400 South and 1500 West in Taylorsville. Officers arrived to find Maurico Rojo, the motorcyclist, critically injured. Despite wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, the impact caused severe trauma, and Rojo was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses identified the suspect vehicle as a Chevrolet Avalanche. Officers later recovered the truck’s front bumper and license plate at the crash site, confirming the vehicle’s involvement.
Suspect Followed and Tracked
A witness followed the damaged pickup to a neighborhood in Murray, where Kilgore was allegedly seen switching into another vehicle. The witness continued to provide updated location details to police until officers intercepted and arrested the suspect.
According to the police report, Kilgore displayed signs of impairment, including slurred speech and unstable behavior. Hours after his arrest, officers noted a strong odor of alcohol. Kilgore told investigators he had consumed “around three shots of vodka” earlier in the day.
Prior DUI Offenses and Licensing Violations
Authorities confirmed Kilgore had four previous DUI arrests since 2021. At the time of the crash:
- His driver’s license was revoked
- He was legally required to use an ignition interlock device
- The vehicle he drove did not have the device installed
Prior to the fatal hit-and-run, police say Kilgore was also involved in a separate rear-end collision earlier that afternoon and was seen struggling to maintain his lane.
Charges and Custody Status
Kilgore is now facing multiple charges, including:
- Automobile homicide
- Failure to remain at an accident involving death
- Driving on a revoked license
- Alcohol-related driving offenses
He is currently being held without bail as the investigation continues.
Authorities emphasize that persistent impaired driving poses severe risks, and the case highlights ongoing concerns about repeat DUI offenders on Utah roads.
