OGDEN, Utah – A 16-year-old male was killed after being struck by two vehicles in Ogden Saturday night, and officials said they are looking for information about a vehicle that left the scene after the initial impact.
According to a press release from the Ogden City Police Department, police responded to the crash around 10:43 p.m. in the area of the 200 West block of 17th Street.
Officials stated they believe the teen was riding a skateboard eastbound on 17th Street in the roadway when he was hit by an eastbound vehicle, which fled the scene.
Lt. Kevin Cottrell, Ogden PD, said the teen was then hit by a second vehicle.
He said: “That car left the scene, and then he was a short time later hit by another vehicle...The second car that hit him, saw an object in the road, swerved to miss it, ended up hitting the juvenile, stopped and called the police. He was already laying in the road.”
Emergency crews responded and pronounced the victim dead on the scene.
The victim has been identified as Joe Martinez. His family was too shaken up to speak on camera, but his grandmother said they are taking some measure of comfort in the knowledge that Joe had recently received a driver's license and at that time decided to become an organ donor. His family said Joe was well-liked, played guitar and had a girlfriend.
Police said they are working to determine the identity of the driver who allegedly fled the scene, and they ask anyone with information regarding the crash to call 801-629-8285. They said the driver of the second vehicle has been cooperative.
“We’re just looking for any information that anyone may have on the initial vehicle that hit him or anybody else who may have seen it or witnessed it," Cottrell said.
