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Police investigating hit-and-run crash in West Valley City as homicide case

Posted at 5:11 PM, Jun 07, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-08 11:22:04-04

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah -- A man was killed in a hit-and-run crash in West Valley City Wednesday, and police confirm they are investigating the case as a homicide.

The crash occurred in the area of 4100 South and 3600 West around 3:40 p.m.

West Valley City Police confirm the pedestrian was killed in the crash and the driver fled the scene. The victim was crossing at 4100 South when the crash occurred.

The deceased was later identified as 47-year-old Jeremy Hardman of West Valley City.

Police say Hardman and a friend got into an argument with the suspect, and at some point the suspect got into a vehicle, made a U-turn, and hit the victim as he was in a crosswalk. The case is being investigated as a homicide.

"There was a conversation or a confrontation of some kind, yes; whether they knew each other prior to that, it's unknown," said Sgt. Bryan Peterson of the West Valley City Police Department.

Witnesses tell Fox 13 News that confrontation may have been about the treatment of an animal.

"I heard it was over a dog, that the man in the car was hitting a dog and the victim was trying to stop him," Rosa Martinez said.

Martinez and her boyfriend witnessed the crash and called 911 afterward.

"The car sped up and just hit him," she said. "He like ran him over, and he sped off faster."

A suspect vehicle in a deadly hit-and-run crash in West Valley City June 7, 2017. Image courtesy WVC PD.

The suspect vehicle description is as follows:

  • 2001-2005 Lexus sedan, 4-door, black in color
  • Modified, loud exhaust, rear spoiler
  • Unique wheels that are different in the front than on the rear
  • Vehicle’s windshield is caved in on the passenger side

The suspect description is as follows:

  • Late 20s to early 30s
  • Hispanic man with a muscular build
  • Brown hair with a “buzz” cut