Motorcycles

SALT LAKE CITY — Following a nationwide trend, motorcycle deaths in Utah are on an upswing.

There were 32 fatal crashes in 2012; 28 in 2011; and 21 in 2010, said Gary Mower, a research analyst for the Utah Department of Public Safety.

So far this year, there have been two motorcycle deaths in Utah, one each in Layton and North Salt Lake.

OGDEN — A man transported to the hospital Thursday with serious injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident remained in critical condition Friday night.

SALT LAKE CITY — A local lawmaker has pulled legislation that would have amended the state’s helmet law for motorcycles after determining he did not have the votes to move the bill forward.

Josh Knight is making an impact on the international motorcycle-racing scene, and the 17-year-old recently brought home a silver medal as the youngest member of Team USA at the International Six Day Enduro in Saxony, Germany.

“My mom always had a philosophy growing up about never deterring your kids from following their dreams,” said Josh’s mom, Jennie Knight. “To try and build them up the best you can because the world … will beat them down on its own. I think Josh has done well with following it. This has definitely been a dream that he had, and he was able to accomplish that.”

WOODS CROSS — A Utah lawmaker who says he doesn’t want to “subsidize stupidity” says he’ll be pushing to make motorcycle helmets mandatory.

SALT LAKE CITY — A 42-year-old Millcreek man accused of shoving his teenage son off the back of his motorcycle and fleeing police is behind bars.

Salt Lake County Jail records show Brian Eddis Johnson was booked Friday on suspicion of charges including aggravated assault, failure to stop for police and child abuse.

TAYLORSVILLE — A toddler is dead after the motorcycle he was riding with his father crashed in a Taylorsville apartment complex parking lot.