SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, Jan. 23, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials have identified the victim of a fatal rollover crash on Mountain View Highway Wednesday morning, as well as a suspect, who has been booked into jail on suspicion of automobile homicide.
The deceased has been identified as Pearl Iata, 38, of Herriman, a press release from the South Jordan Police Department said.
The suspect, Edilberto Lopez-Ramirez, 23, of Kearns, was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, officials said.
Lopez-Ramirez is being booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for automobile homicide, auto theft, felony DUI, hit-and-run, reckless driving and driving with an invalid driver license.
The news release said police and medical units responded to a rollover crash at the intersection of Lake Ave (11400 South) and Mountain View Highway, just after 10:40 a.m.
“A Dodge Caravan was travelling north on Mountain View Highway when a GMC K3500 pickup travelling eastbound ran a red light,” the news release said. “When the vehicles collided, the GMC rolled over.”
Initial reports said a male, later identified as Lopez-Ramirez, had been ejected from the GMC, but it was later determined he was not ejected and crawled out on his own.
Due to the severity of the crash, the driver of the Dodge Caravan, Iata, was pinned inside her vehicle. Despite efforts of first responders, Iata passed away.
“The truck Mr. Lopez-Ramirez was driving was reported stolen from a job site in Herriman approximately one hour prior to the crash,” the news release said.
“In addition, the same truck was involved in a hit-and-run crash at South Jordan Parkway and southbound Mountain View Highway just prior to the crash at Lake Avenue and Mountain View Highway.”
Lopez-Ramirez is the suspect in both of those cases.
Detectives spoke with Lopez-Ramirez, who, after being read his Miranda rights, admitted to stealing the vehicle, drinking beer before the crash, being involved in the hit and run, and fleeing at a high speed, then running the red light and colliding with Iata, the news release said.
The case will be sent to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office in the days to come.
