Utah man who threw driver into tree during attempted carjacking sentenced to prison

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — A Farmington man who attempted to steal a car from a parking lot and reportedly threw the driver into a tree has been sentenced to federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.

Kay Elder, 36, pleaded guilty in May to carjacking and was sentenced to 63 months in prison and an additional three years of supervised release.

According to the attorney’s office, Elder went up to the 57-year-old victim in the parking lot of a Salt Lake City Home Depot on Jan. 3, 2024, and began yelling at the victim. Elder told the victim to get out of the car and give him the key.

“The victim exited the car and Elder attempted to strike and kick him but missed,” the attorney’s office said. “Elder then grabbed the victim and threw him into a tree.”

When Elder got into the car in an attempt to drive away, he was unable to do so because the key fob was still in the victim’s pocket. Elder attempted to flee from police on foot, but was later arrested.

According to a prior press release from the attorney’s office, Elder was seen running into oncoming traffic after fleeing the car. While running, he reportedly ignored officers’ commands to stop, and grabbed a metal sign from a gas station and threw it at officers while running.

An FBI Task Force Officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda.

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