Police identify victim in fatal hit-and-run in West Valley City; police seek suspect who fled scene

West Valley City police on the scene of a fatal hit-and-run accident which claimed the life of a 65-year-old bicyclist near 5400 W. 3500 South, April 30, 2017. Photo: Gephardt Daily/SLCScanner

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, April 30, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — West Valley City Police are reporting that an adult male was the victim of a hit-and-run Sunday afternoon as he was riding his bicycle westbound on 3500 South near 5400 West.

Police have identified the victim as John Kinn, 65.

Police say Kinn died at the scene despite efforts by West Valley Fire Department to save him.

WVCPD Sgt. Jay Horner said Kinn was riding a bicycle in the outside lane on 3500 South, and it appears there was a driver in that lane who struck Kinn and then fled.

“Right now, we are still looking for the suspect driver,” Horner said. “He is described as a black male, about 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches, about 200 pounds, with dreadlocks.”

Police investigators examine a suspect vehicle in fatal West Valley City hit and run accident April 29 2017 Photo Gephardt DailySLCScanner

According to tweets from WVCPD, the suspect had medium-length dreadlocks tied in a ponytail and was wearing all black clothes.

Horner said the suspect fled and abandoned the vehicle in a parking lot about a block away from the scene of the fatal accident.

The vehicle has California license plates, and investigators are trying to contact the owner.

Photo Gephardt DailySLC Scanner

Horner said the investigation is still in the early stages, and an active search for the suspect is in progress, including dozens of police officers providing containment and K-9s.

“It’s nothing short of a tragedy,” Horner said. “We have our major accident investigation team here. They’re trying to reconstruct the scene … but obviously there was a driver who struck someone — a bicyclist — and struck him in such a way that it killed him. And the suspect was more worried about fleeing the scene and avoiding responsibility.”

Police investigators examine a suspect vehicle in fatal West Valley City hit and run accident April 29 2017 Photo Gephardt DailySLCScanner

Anyone who witnessed the accident or who has any information that would help locate the suspect is asked to call Dispatch at 801-840-4000.

Because of this incident, 3500 South is closed in both directions from 5600 West to 5200 West.

Gephardt Daily has a crew on scene and will update this developing story as more information is made available.

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