Salt Lake City police ID 73-year-old victim of fatal hit and run, struck while trying to save client’s dog

Joe Burford. Photo: GoFundMe

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 22, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — The man who was struck by a pickup truck on Beck Street on Friday has died from his injuries.

“The victim from last night’s #HitandRun has passed away from his injuries,” says a tweet posted at about 4 p.m. Saturday by the Salt Lake City Police Department.

The tweet says the victim, 73-year-old Joseph Burford, “died this morning after being struck on Beck St. last night. Anyone with info on the #Suspect is asked to call SLCPD. #SeeSomethingSaySomething.”

A GoFundMe account that tells the story says, “Joe Burford was a good man, whose life was cut short too early. He was being a hero while saving a customer’s dog that had gotten loose. He grabbed the dog from the middle of the road and was struck by a truck in front of his home.”

Burford ran Cowboy Joe’s Dog Boarding, at 1657 N. Beck St., his Facebook page says.

“Many knew Cowboy Joe and have an amazing story to tell about him,” the GoFundMe post says. “Today we had to say goodbye, to an amazing man, father, and dog man. Please help our family by donating to help cover his final medical and funeral expenses.”

Lt. Russ Amott, of the Salt Lake City Police Department, said the pickup driver did not remain at the scene.

One of the kennel’s customer’s came to pick up a dog, and the dog managed to get off the leash and ran into the street. Burford chased after the dog, and was hit by the truck, Amott said.

“The driver initially stopped and it sounds like he stayed around for a bit,” Amott said. “He pulled the man out of the roadway, then took off.”

Police are now looking for a tan Ford F150 extended-cab truck with front-end damage and a broken passenger-side mirror. The driver is described as a white male with blondish-brownish hair.

Amott had no information about the dog except that the dog’s owner found the injured pet and took it to an animal hospital.

A 73 year old man who was struck by a vehicle as he chased an escaped dog outside Cowboy Joes Dog Boarding in Salt Lake City has died from his injuries Image Google Earth

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