James Shama Pualale, 53, has been charged with multiple felonies following a September 11 hit-and-run that killed 51-year-old Tewelde Mekenon in South Salt Lake. The incident has drawn attention to a growing pattern of unlicensed motorists operating vehicles across the state of Utah.
A Toyota Sienna mirror and security footage lead to Pualale's arrest
The investigation into the death of Tewelde Mekenon began at 10:05 p.m. on September 11, when South Salt Lake Police Officer Ricks responded to a scene at 3625 South 900 West. According to 2News Investigates, Officer Ricks discovered vehicle debris on the road,including a part with a partial serial number that a Google search linked to a 2014-2020 Toyota Sienna.
Further evidence was gathered from security footage provided by the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The footage captured a Toyota Sienna traveling southbound on 900 West, slowing down as if obstructed, and performing a series of slow U-turns before fleeing toward the intersection of 3500 South 900 West. This digital trail allowed police to locate a black Toyota Sienna at an apartment complex on South 1230 West early the next morning.
Pualale's history of license suspensions since 2008
Court records reveal that James Shama Pualale has a long-standing history of ignoring licensing laws. As reported by 2News Investigates, Pualale was found guilty of driving on a suspended license in February 2008 and again in January 2021, with an additional charge in July 2010. in the current case, Pualale is specifically charged with driving on a denied license due to a medical requirement.
The details of Pualale's behavior following the crash are particularly stark. After being read his Miranda rights, Pualale admitted to investigators that he wiped down the Toyota Sienna and, rather than calling for help, went home to eat and sleep. Detective Labounty noted in the probable cause affidavit that Pualale appeared "unfazed" when informed that Tewelde Mekenon had died at the scene.
Utah's rise from 4% to 12.5% in unlicensed crashes
The tragedy in South Salt Lake is part of a broader , alarming trend in Utah. data from the Utah Department of Public Safety shows that crashes involving unlicensed drivers rose from approximately 4% of all state crashes in 2019 to about 12.5% in 2024. in 2024 alone, the state recorded 24 fatal crashes and 261 hit-and-run incidents involving drivers without valid licenses.
This surge suggests a gap in enforcement and deterrence. Chris Bertram, a retired deputy chief for the Unified Police Department, noted that law enforcement often only discovers a driver's license is revoked or suspended during a stop for a different violation. This means many high-risk drivers, like James Shama Pualale, remain on the road until a catastrophic event occurs.
The medical requirement behind Pualale's denied license
While the charges are clear, several specific details remain unknown. The source mentions that Pualale's license was denied due to a "medical requirement," but it does not specify the nature of the medical condition or whether Pualale had been formally warned that his health status made driving a danger to the public.
Additionally, the reporting relies primarily on police affidavits and prosecutor statements. It remains to be seen if Pualale's legal counsel will provide a different account of the events leading up to the crash or the circumstances of his license denial. Pualale is scheduled to return to court on October 13 for a bail hearing.
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