West Jordan man arrested for alleged obstruction of justice in fatal hit-and-run case | Gephardt Daily

A 46-year-old man from West Jordan, Sabino Lazaro-Javier, was arrested on March 28, 2025, and charged with two counts of obstruction of justice in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident. This came after a motorcycle collided with an SUV at the intersection of Gardner Lane and Redwood Road on March 25, resulting in the motorcyclist's death. Following the crash, the SUV fled the scene.

Witnesses alerted the West Jordan Police, who investigated the incident. Surveillance footage captured images of the collision and the SUV leaving the area. The officers subsequently found a 2002 GMC Yukon, matching the description of the suspect vehicle, parked nearby. The vehicle, registered to Lazaro, had notable damage on the passenger side and contained evidence such as a fragment of a motorcycle helmet and a backpack strap belonging to the victim.

During police questioning, Lazaro initially claimed that his vehicle had been stolen that day. However, after receiving his Miranda rights, he confessed to being aware of the accident and the motorcyclist's fatality. Lazaro identified the driver as his friend and coworker, Ponciano, and admitted to reporting the car stolen and deleting pertinent phone records that could have aided the investigation.

Sabino Lazaro-Javier was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, and the case is still under investigation as authorities are working to locate the alleged driver, Ponciano. The charges against Lazaro are classified as class A misdemeanors under Utah statute 76-8-306 for obstructing the investigation of a more serious crime.

This incident highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to address hit-and-run cases and bring responsible parties to justice. The police continue to gather evidence as they pursue the individual who was allegedly driving the SUV at the time of the crash.