This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A motorcycle rider, who crashed on Interstate 15 in Salt Lake County, was taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition Friday afternoon.
The rider, 72-year-old Chet Gibson of West Jordan, was traveling south toward the Bangerter Highway off-ramp in Draper, a few minutes before 2 p.m. when traffic slowed at a rapid pace, according to a news release from the Utah Highway Patrol. Gibson, who was not wearing a helmet, lost control of the bike and was ejected.
He rolled in the two far-right lanes of the highway while the motorcycle slid across all six travel lanes and came to rest against the left concrete barrier. UHP said they didn't believe the bike struck any other vehicles on its way to the left shoulder.
Gibson was transported to Intermountain Medical Center in extremely critical condition. Investigators believe a helmet could have prevented or mitigated the majority of his injuries.