PROVO, Utah — Provo police have arrested a driver following a crash on Saturday that killed an older driver.
The male suspect, 38-year-old Paseto Penahipa Foalima, was arrested on Sunday and faces charges of automobile homicide, reckless driving, assault on a peace officer, failure to stop at the signal of police, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident.
Provo Police said the incident began Saturday around 3 p.m. when Foalima, driving a Volkswagen Passat, clipped one car. The other driver called 911 and said they were stopped at a red light at 500 North and 500 West when the suspect swerved around them from behind and clipped the rear driver's side of their car. Foalima then allegedly drove off, and the other driver followed him for several minutes.
Foalima stopped in the parking lot of a church near 700 North and 100 West, and a Provo officer responded to the scene and approached his car. Police said Foalima initially complied with the officer but then drove off, which caused the officer to roll away from the car.
Then, at approximately 400 N. 100 West, Foalima hit a small Fiat 500 head-on. The driver in the Fiat, who police said was an elderly woman, was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.
The victim later died from her injuries. Police have identified the victim as 83-year-old Luena Paulson of Provo.
Foalima then allegedly fled on foot but was stopped by a citizen, who held him until officers arrived. Provo Police suspect he had been drinking alcohol, and when his blood was checked, they say it came back at four times the legal limit.
