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SALT LAKE CITY — A Magna man was charged Monday with driving off after hitting and killing a bicyclist on a dark road. Police say he turned himself in the next day.
Rodimiro Burquez, 27, of Magna, is charged in 3rd District Court with leaving the scene of an accident involving death, a third-degree felony; not having car insurance, a class C misdemeanor; and three infractions including not having a license, failing to register a vehicle and going too fast for conditions.
About 4:40 a.m. on July 9, Juan Mucino, 58, was riding a bicycle near 755 S. Redwood Road when he was hit from behind by an SUV. "Mucino was wearing dark clothing and lighting on the street was minimal," according to charging documents.
The driver took off after hitting Mucino, but detectives said they were able to determine what kind of vehicle they were looking for based on the broken pieces from the vehicle that were left behind.
Salt Lake police asked for the public's help in identifying the driver. On July 10, Burquez contacted officers and said he wanted to talk to them.
"Burquez stated that he was driving and that there was nothing on the bike flashing, nor were there lights. Burquez stated it happened fast and that he was scared so he took off," according to the charges.
He said he abandoned the vehicle, which he was borrowing, in the area of Cheyenne Street and Arapahoe Avenue. Burquez also told detectives that he did not have a valid driver's license, the charges state.
Data analysis confirmed that Burquez was traveling 52 mph in a 45 mph zone when he struck Mucino, according to the charges, which also say that headlight analysis confirmed that at the speed Burquez was traveling, he had less than 1.5 seconds to respond to seeing Mucino in the roadway.
