Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- A 46-year-old man was arrested as part of the investigation into a deadly hit-and-run in West Jordan.
- Sabino Lazaro-Javier was arrested for investigation of obstruction.
- Police said they found the SUV with some of victim's items inside.
WEST JORDAN — A 46-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash this week in West Jordan after the vehicle suspected of being involved was located and items belonging to the victim were found inside.
Sabino Lazaro-Javier was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Thursday for investigation of two counts of obstruction of justice.
On Tuesday night, West Jordan police responded to a crash at Gardner Lane and Redwood Road. An SUV had hit a motorcyclist and drove off before officers arrived, according to police.
"The motorcyclist was transported by ambulance to the hospital where he died as a result of his injuries," a police booking affidavit states. He was later identified as Garrett Randall Pace, 23.
On Wednesday, police received a tip that the 2002 GMC Yukon that drove away from the scene was in a neighborhood in the area of 8600 South and 4000 West. Officers responded and located the vehicle.
"Investigators observed that the Yukon exhibited extensive damage on the passenger side, consistent with the details of the collision. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered a portion of a motorcycle helmet on the front passenger seat, a piece of fabric lodged in the damaged area of the passenger door, and a backpack strap matching the backpack worn by the motorcyclist," the affidavit states.
The vehicle's registered owner, Lazaro-Javier, was located and arrested Thursday. He originally claimed his SUV was stolen, according to the affidavit. Police say he even called 911 on Tuesday and falsely reported his vehicle had been taken.
Lazaro-Javier later admitted to having knowledge of the crash but said a co-worker was driving, the affidavit states, and that the co-worker "called and told him the details of the accident minutes after it occurred." He then deleted the call records on his phone after speaking with the co-worker, police say.
The affidavit did not indicate whether police had questioned the co-worker as of Friday.
Photos
Show All 3 Photos
