Utah Man ‘Intentionally’ Runs Over Scooter Rider, Killing Him

Salt Lake City police have arrested a man they chase struck a man on a scooter, killing him, and drove away without stopping.

Investigators said they found Robert Johnson Boyatt, 53, at 8 p.m. Thursday night at a campsite in Tooele County, KUTV reported.

He is accused of making a U-turn in the early hours Monday morning to hit 61-year-old Victor Hershberger as he rode through the city’s Rose Park neighborhood. Police said the two men knew each other, and a witness told detectives Boyat was “on a vengeance spree,” the arrest report says.

“The vehicle … intentionally ran (Hershberger) over from behind, made no attempt to stop and fled the scene,” the arrest report said.

Boyatt’s vehicle, a red, 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, was found abandoned the next day.

“The vehicle had damage consistent with the collision and evidence linking Boyatt to the vehicle,” the report said.

Police said Boyatt apparently abandoned the car shortly after the crash, although they didn’t say specifically where it was found.

According to KSL, Boyatt admitted hitting Hershberger and not stopping. He also admitted abandoning his car to avoid capture and driving without a license.

The witness told investigators Boyatt had been “looking for (Hershberger) and ‘has been on a vengeance spree’ against (Hershberger),”  the arrest report said.

Boyatt is charged with murder, failure to remain at an accident involving death, driving on a denied license, and obstruction of justice.

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[Featured image: Robert Boyatt/Salt Lake City Police Department]