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MIDVALE — A man who is accused of driving through a fence and running over another man standing behind it, all to allegedly scare him, has been arrested.
Esteban Manuel Martinez Perez, 42, was arrested Monday for investigation of aggravated assault resulting in serious injury, criminal mischief, failing to remain at the scene of an accident with serious injury and drug possession.
On July 12, Unified police responded to a report of a man who had been hit by a pickup truck near 135 W. Plumtree Lane, according to a police booking affidavit.
"The truck also went through the fence at the Brighton Place apartments causing about $1,000 in (damage) and fled the scene," the affidavit states.
The 37-year-old victim was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and remained there Monday.
"Detectives attempted an interview with (the man) but he was unable to communicate due to injuries," according to the affidavit.
Based on witness statements and surveillance video, investigators began looking for a 2004 Ford F-150.
"Through further investigation, it was found that the driver of the vehicle was Esteban Martinez and lived at an address in West Valley City," the affidavit states.
Detectives say Perez and the victim have known each other a long time. When police found him at his residence and questioned him, Perez admitted to getting into an altercation with the victim that night in the parking lot of the apartment complex.
"Esteban stated that (the man) was throwing rocks at his vehicle from over a 6-foot wooden fence. Esteban's vehicle was facing the fence. Esteban pushed the gas on his vehicle and ran through the fence in the area (the man) was throwing the rocks. Esteban felt his vehicle bounce and bump over debris. Esteban stated that he thought that (the man) had run off because he didn't see (him) anywhere," according to the affidavit.
When he drove back through the area a few minutes later, however, Perez saw the victim.
"Esteban stated that he wasn't trying to kill (the man) but he knew that he could have injured him as he drove through the fence. He just wanted (the man) to leave," the affidavit states.
Police also found Perez was in possession of meth when he was arrested.
