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OGDEN — A man was arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run after photo evidence of a license plate number quickly identified the vehicle and driver on Saturday.
Just after 9 p.m., police responded to an auto-pedestrian crash near the 2700 block of Washington Boulevard where the driver reportedly fled the scene. When officers and fire personnel arrived, they located a 58-year-old man with serious injuries and provided immediate medical assistance. The man was transported to the hospital where he later died of his injuries, according to Ogden police.
The preliminary investigation indicated that the man was crossing mid-block, outside of a designated crosswalk, when he was struck by a vehicle, police said in a news release.
Photo evidence of the license plate was provided to police who quickly identified the vehicle. Officers later arrested 43-year-old Joshua Eugene Eastep, who "admitted to driving the vehicle at the time of the crash after waiving his rights," according to a police booking affidavit.
Eastep told police "he did not stay on scene because he was afraid," stated the affidavit.
While being booked into the Weber County Jail, two baggies of a crystal-like substance were located in Eastep's pants. He told police that the substance was methamphetamines but "does not know how or when they ended up in his pants," according to the document.
Eastep was arrested for investigation of failure to remain at the scene of a crash involving death and for investigation of possession of a controlled substance within a correctional facility.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact the Ogden police with information at 801-395-8221.
