WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Around 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, a man was walking his dog along 4100 South in West Valley when an SUV swerved off the road and struck them both.
“The pedestrian, unfortunately, was killed in the accident. The dog was also killed, and the driver of the vehicle went to the hospital with bruising and scratching," said Sgt. Justin Wyckoff with the West Valley City Police Department.
Sunday, police identified the man who was killed as 41-year-old Bryan Haskell. They identified the driver as 30-year-old Ernest King.
The car also hit a utility pole and finally stopped when it crashed into a tree on a resident's property. The driver of the vehicle was transported to a local hospital. Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the driver to veer off the road, but they said they don't believe alcohol was a factor.
“We’re not sure if this is a medical situation or what other, you know, cause prompted him to leave the road," said Sgt. Jason Hauer with the West Valley City Police Department. "But, certainly, certainly tragic.”
Nearby residents said the incident makes them fear about the safety of the roads in their neighborhood.
“When you think that the person is on the sidewalk, naturally walking their dog casually, thinking they’re all safe, and then to have a car fly out of nowhere, I think that makes it scary," said resident Sylvia Andersson.
Officers on scene said it’s a tragedy for the entire community, who is still grieving the loss of a 12-year-old girl who was found dead in a pasture in West Valley City on Friday.
“It’s hard to believe that you could be walking your dog one second, and be gone the next," Hauer said. "Very, very, very sad and unfortunate situation.”
Police used the tags the dog was wearing to identify the man who was killed and reach his family.
It is unclear if King will be cited, as the investigation is still ongoing.
