Man arrested for alleged obstruction of justice in fatal West Jordan hit-and-run

WEST JORDAN, Utah (ABC4) — A man was arrested in connection to a hit-and-run in West Jordan that led to the hospitalization and death of a motorcyclist early last week.

Sabino Lazaro, 46, was arrested on March 27 on two counts of obstruction of justice, both class A misdemeanors. Lazaro was identified as the registered owner of a 2002 GMC Yukon, which matched the description of the SUV seen on video at the scene of the hit-and-run, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

On March 26, officers received a tip about a possible sighting of the suspect vehicle in a neighborhood, and Lazaro was identified as the registered owner after searching in law enforcement databases.

“Investigators observed that the Yukon exhibited extensive damage on the passenger side, consistent with the details of the collision,” documents said.

Officers recovered “a portion of a motorcycle helmet” from the passenger seat of the car, as well as fabric and a backpack strap from other damaged areas of the car. According to arrest documents, Lazaro was taken in for questioning on March 27 and originally told officials his car had been stolen on the day of the hit-and-run.

However, after being read his Miranda rights, Lazaro reportedly told officers he knew about the incident, including the fact that the motorcyclist involved had died. He also said he knew the identity of the alleged driver, documents said.

Lazaro told officers the driver — his friend and co-worker, identified only as Ponciano — had called him shortly after the incident and told him details of it. On the night of the incident, March 25, Lazaro said he called 911 and “falsely reported his vehicle as stolen” after speaking with the alleged driver.

“[Lazaro] also admitted to deleting phone call records from Ponciano that could have assisted detectives in their investigation,” arrest documents said.

Lazaro was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on the aforementioned charges.