Man Arrested for Intentionally Crashing Into Occupied Vehicle in Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – December 25, 2023

A 54-year-old man is spending Christmas in the Salt Lake County jail after police say he intentionally crashed his car into an occupied vehicle, then fled the scene. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City police responded to a call at approximately 3:40 p.m. on Sunday regarding a car crash in the area of 300 South and 1000 West. According to an affidavit filed by the arresting officer, Michael Floyd Norvell, the victim flagged down the officer and informed them that the suspect had fled the scene on foot, heading westbound on 300 South. Another witness also confirmed that the suspect continued on foot towards 200 South, attempting to enter the freeway.

The officer located Norvell on 1100 W. Pierpont Ave., and instructed him to sit down, but he refused multiple times. Norvell exhibited slurred speech, glossy reddish eyes, and the smell of alcohol, indicating possible intoxication.

Norvell allegedly expressed suicidal thoughts and asked the officer to shoot him. He admitted to intentionally crashing his car into the victim’s vehicle and was subsequently placed under arrest. The victim, who had no prior interaction with Norvell and was visiting from another state, recounted the incident to the police.

The victim stated that he had parked his vehicle and was about to retrieve one of his three children, who were inside the car in their car seats. As he was attempting to remove the child from the car seat, he noticed Norvell inside his vehicle, parked in the middle of the street. Norvell accelerated rapidly towards the victim, causing a collision between the two vehicles. The victim managed to jump on top of the car but was thrown to the ground. He believed that Norvell was attempting to kill him.

Video footage from the scene captured Norvell’s vehicle waiting for the victim to exit his vehicle. As the victim stepped out, Norvell accelerated without braking directly towards him. The impact occurred right where the victim was standing.

Fortunately, the victim sustained no serious injuries, and the children inside his vehicle were unharmed. However, Norvell now faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault, attempted homicide, reckless driving, driving under the influence, failure to comply duties at a vehicle accident with property damage, and various traffic infractions.

Norvell appeared before a judge and was ordered to be held without bail. The investigation is ongoing, and more details may emerge as the case progresses.