Witnesses Say Driver Appeared To “Intentionally” Hit Motorcyclist
Apr 22, 2019, 6:18 PM | Updated: 6:22 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A motorcyclist who was hit and killed early Friday morning was possibly hit intentionally.
Witnesses say it looked like road rage, telling troopers that the driver hit the motorcyclist from behind, causing him to crash into a concrete barrier on State Route 201.
The victim has been identified as 63-year-old David Haines.
He was riding his motorcycle around 3 a.m. Friday. According to court documents, witnesses say the driver of a Chevy Malibu “appeared to intentionally run into the rear of the motorcycle, causing it to crash.”
The impact forced Haines to hit a concrete barrier near 2700 West. Paramedics couldn’t save him.
Authorities say the driver who hit him left the scene, but he’s now been arrested.
After the crash, the driver, 36-year-old Carlos Quintana-Lozano, got out and ran. Investigators tracked him down later that night and arrested him.
Court documents show Quintana-Lozano has a lengthy criminal history and was convicted of aggravated assault as recently as February.
Haines’ daughter, Amanda Pecor, says she’ll have a hard time forgiving him.
“I know at some point I will have to forgive him, but right now, he took one of the most important men away from me and so I’m not ready to forgive yet,” said Pecor.
While Haines’ family is clearly upset, they’re choosing to take this time, not to focus on the driver, but instead on the man who was always there for them.
“He was loved by so many and to be taken so soon and in such a wrong way, I just miss him,” said Pecor through tears. “We just know that he’s at peace now and he’s with my grandpa in heaven and going fishing.”
Haines’ family is now preparing for his funeral on Wednesday.
Even though the crash does not appear to be her father’s fault, Pecor says she does wish he had been wearing a helmet.
“It would have saved his life. I wholeheartedly feel like it would have saved his life,” she said. “He had so much more time left with his grandkids. And with me.”