A 19-year-old man remains in critical condition following a severe motorcycle crash in the hills above Bountiful Utah, renewing calls for heightened caution on state roads as motorcycle-related accidents sharply rise.
The young man, whose family has spoken publicly about his condition, is currently being treated at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. He is in a medically induced coma, but family members report signs of progress, offering a glimmer of hope amid the trauma.
“He’s showing signs of improvement,” said his sister to KSL. “But he still can’t communicate with us.”
The crash occurred along a winding stretch of Bountiful Boulevard when a vehicle reportedly made a sudden U-turn, directly into the path of the approaching motorcycle. The impact launched the rider over the vehicle. Family members say he had been wearing a helmet at the time — a decision that doctors believe spared him from fatal or more devastating spinal injuries.
As temperatures rise and more motorcyclists return to the roads, safety officials are voicing urgent concern. According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, motorcycle fatalities have surged by nearly 80% compared to the same period last year. Overall motorcycle-related crashes are also up by more than 15%.
Jason Mettmann, with the state’s accident office, emphasized the importance of rider education and visibility. “People need to pay attention and slow down. A skilled riding course can make a difference,” he said, referencing resources available through ridetolive.utah.gov.
The family has acknowledged that the young man was exceeding the speed limit at the time of the crash and is using the tragedy to advocate for safer practices — both for riders and drivers.
“Wear your helmet. Follow traffic laws. Motorcycles can be hard to see, especially at night,” one family member said to KSL. “Please, just be careful.”
As he continues his fight for recovery, the incident has left a family grappling with the sudden shift from everyday life to a hospital bedside — and a broader community once again reminded of the fragile balance on Utah’s roads.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover Jayden’s medical expenses.
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