WEST JORDAN, Utah — A 46-year-old man has been taken into custody in connection with a hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of a motorcyclist.
Authorities arrested Sabino Lazaro on March 27, charging him with two counts of obstruction of justice, both classified as class A misdemeanors. According to law enforcement, Lazaro is the registered owner of a 2002 GMC Yukon, a vehicle that matches the description of the SUV seen fleeing the crash site in surveillance footage.
Investigation Leads to Key Discovery
On March 26, officers followed up on a tip regarding a vehicle matching the suspect description, locating the damaged SUV in a local neighborhood. A search of police databases confirmed Lazaro’s ownership of the Yukon.
Investigators noted that the passenger side of the vehicle had significant damage, consistent with the collision details. Inside the SUV, authorities found a piece of a motorcycle helmet, along with fabric and a backpack strap stuck to damaged areas of the vehicle.
False Report and Attempted Cover-Up
Initially, Lazaro told police his SUV had been stolen on the day of the crash. However, once officers read him his Miranda rights, he admitted to knowing about the accident and the death of the motorcyclist.
According to Lazaro, the actual driver was a friend and co-worker identified only as “Ponciano”, who called him after the incident to reveal what had happened. Later that evening, Lazaro called 911 and falsely reported his vehicle as stolen in an attempt to distance himself from the crime.
Authorities also discovered that Lazaro deleted phone call records that could have helped detectives track down the driver.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
Lazaro was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for obstruction of justice. Meanwhile, authorities continue working to locate and apprehend the actual driver responsible for the fatal crash.
This case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact local authorities .
