SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 23, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A man wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run on Beck Street Friday has turned himself in to police.
“The suspect from the hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of Joseph Burford, on Beck Street, has turned himself in and is cooperating in the investigation,” said a tweet from the Salt Lake City Police Department at 4 p.m Sunday. “The case will be screened with the Salt Lake DA’s office. Nothing further will be released at this time.”
Saturday afternoon, the SLCPD tweeted that the victim of the hit-and-run had passed away due to his injuries. The tweet said the victim, 73-year-old Joseph Burford, “died this morning after being struck on Beck Street last night.” The tweet asked anyone with information on the suspect to get in touch with police.
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 SLCPD, said the pickup driver did not remain at the scene.
“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.”
Amott had no information about the dog except that the dog’s owner found the injured pet and took it to an animal hospital.
