Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
HURRICANE — A Facebook post by a Hurricane man Tuesday morning seemed to indicate he knew he was in trouble.
"Well im going for along time I love you all good bye," Randahl Hill apparently wrote on his Facebook page about 6 a.m.
Tuesday afternoon, Hill, 25, was arrested for investigation of automobile homicide, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and DUI in connection with a fatal auto-pedestrian accident in a residential area.
Bruce A. Smale, 52, of Arkansas, was killed near 300 North and 35 West in Hurricane just after 5 a.m.
An officer familiar with the investigation told the Deseret News that Smale was the boyfriend of Hill's mother.
Police initially called the auto-pedestrian accident involving a 1994 black Ford Mustang suspicious. There appeared to be acceleration marks on the road and witnesses told officers they heard a vehicle revving its engine.
He went back in the house, and I didn't see him again. And then, when I came out again, the officers were here and there was a man laying in the road.
–Ken, neighborhood resident
Ken, who lives in the neighborhood but didn't want to give his last name, said Hill could often be heard squealing his tires and speeding down the street. Tuesday morning was no different.
"He went back in the house, and I didn't see him again. And then, when I came out again, the officers were here and there was a man laying in the road," he said.
Hurricane Police Sgt. Brandon Buell said investigators learned Hill and Smale knew each other and had been drinking throughout the night.
At some point, for an unknown reason, Smale got on the hood of Hill's car.
"Randahl told investigators that the victim was on the hood of the vehicle as he drove away very quickly and continued driving as he fell off," police said in a prepared statement. "Detectives are still investigating what led to the victim being on the hood of the vehicle."
Ken said he heard people talking outside Hill's house early Tuesday but it didn't sound like arguing.
Hill reportedly drove off after the incident Tuesday but then returned before police arrived. The vehicle was found in the driveway at 300 North and 35 West. In the Washington County Jail booking log, that address is listed as Hill's home address.
According to court records, Hill pleaded guilty as part of a plea in abeyance deal to charges of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, criminal mischief, threat of using a dangerous weapon and trespassing in 2010.
Contributing: Sandra Yi
