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SALT LAKE CITY — A driver who allegedly panicked after hitting and killing a pedestrian has been arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run accident in Salt Lake City.
William Ryan Fullmer, 21, of Tooele, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail Wednesday night for investigation of automobile homicide and leaving the scene of an accident involving death. Alcohol may have been a factor in the accident, according to witnesses.
Just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Fullmer allegedly hit and killed Eugene Nelson, 51, who was crossing the street at 500 S. Main. Nelson was reportedly in a crosswalk but crossing against the light when he was hit. The impact threw his body more than 60 feet into the intersection.
Fullmer later told police that he "pulled to the side of the road, got out to see what he had hit, then left when he panicked," according to a Salt Lake County Jail report. He then drove back to his home in Tooele.
The break for police came when Fullmer's date, who was in the car with him when the incident occurred, later called police. She said they had purchased a bottle of vodka that night and consumed some of it before going to the Utah Jazz game where Fullmer had another six beers, the report states.
Fullmer struck the pedestrian after leaving the parking lot at 200 South and 500 East, the witness told police.
Police went to Fullmer's home in Tooele Wednesday night where they found the damaged vehicle. He was questioned, arrested and booked into jail, according to police.
Email:preavy@ksl.com
