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WEST VALLEY CITY — A man who allegedly hit and killed a pedestrian while trying to get away from police is facing more criminal charges.
Marcos Adrian Garcia-Lugo, 21, was charged Friday in 3rd District Court with manslaughter and failing to stop for an officer, second-degree felonies; and failing to remain at the scene of accident involving death, a third-degree felony.
Following the crash, police found meth and fentanyl in the car Garcia-Lugo was allegedly driving when he hit a pedestrian. On March 8, a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and being an alien in possession of a firearm.
But 16 days after the pedestrian was hit in the crosswalk, the victim died.
The incident happened on March 1 when Unified police say a car almost struck a crossing guard, according to charging documents. An officer initially pursued the vehicle but terminated the pursuit a short time later due to safety concerns.
But the alleged driver, Garcia-Lugo, continued to drive "recklessly" and ultimately struck Lloyd Hughes, 67, who was in a crosswalk at 3600 W. Christy Avenue, the charges state.
"Garcia-Lugo drove his vehicle at excessive speeds, weaved in and out of traffic lanes and cut in front of oncoming traffic and a pedestrian despite the fact the police had terminated pursuit. In doing so, Garcia-Lugo caused a crash which sent his car into the body of Lloyd Hughes, thereby causing the death of Mr. Hughes," according to the charges.
Hughes died from his injuries on March 17.
Garcia-Lugo ran away from the scene after the crash, jumping over a fence and through a yard, the charges state. A Unified officer nearby spotted him and called for backup. Officers used police K-9s to track the man to a home near 3600 West and 3100 South in West Valley City, where he was taken into custody after a short struggle.
"Garcia-Lugo was found a short time later barricaded inside a nearby residence. The front door was unlocked by the occupants inside the residence. (A detective) observed Garcia-Lugo in the stairwell. Officers entered the residence and gave Garcia-Lugo several commands to lay down on the floor. Garcia-Lugo did not comply. Officers worked to restrain Garcia-Lugo and he continued to resist," the charges state.
In his car, police found 3½ pounds of methamphetamine, a half-pound of heroin, approximately 3,000 fentanyl pills, and more than $2,500 cash, the U.S. Attorney for Utah stated.
