SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A man killed in Tuesday night motorcycle crash was identified as Assistant Attorney General Peter "Rocky" Rognlie.
Utah AG Mark Shurtleff confirmed the Rognnlie died Tuesday evening as he was riding his motorcycle and crashed on 700 East in a collision with a car.
A news release from Shurtleff said that Rognlie handled criminal and civil cases during the 12 years he worked at the Attorney General's Office.
"Rocky was the perfect nickname for an attorney who gave his all in and outside the courtroom," says Shurtleff. "He was a fierce advocate who handled some of the toughest criminal and civil cases in our office. We will miss him deeply."
Rognlie graduated from the University of Utah College of Law in 1983. He began his career as a prosecutor in Washington, Iron and Utah Counties and later worked in private practice before he started at the Attorney General's Office in 1999.
The Ag's office said Rognlie was also known for his sense of humor and straight talk. "Many of us sought Rocky's advice on how to approach a legal problem and his advice was always helpful and insightful," says Criminal Appeals Division Chief Laura Dupaix. "Rocky was also a good and loyal friend and he was funny with a playful sense of humor."
"Rocky was passionate about his career and defending the state and its citizens," says Litigation Division Chief Steve Walkenhorst. "While most people forget their old cases and move on to new ones, Rocky did not and that was painful for him at times, especially when children had been injured. He wore his heart on his sleeve and had an opinion about everything. He never hesitated to tell people what he thought but showed a genuine kindness toward others. He entertained us and loved to tell stories. We'll miss him."
The AG's office said Rognlie was also a volunteer and donor at the Fourth Street Clinic and the A.G. liaison to the Third District Court and the Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on Professionalism.
Police are investigating the cause of the accident, but told ABC 4 a purple car slammed into the motorcycle at 700 East 900 South. Investigators do not know who was a fault.
700 East was closed southbound for several hours Tuesday night.
----Information from: Utah Attorney General.
