Man arrested for alleged involvement in Millcreek hit-and-run
Aug 2, 2024, 6:02 PM | Updated: 10:24 pm
MILLCREEK— A man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in a hit-and-run collision that killed a woman in Millcreek last week.
Early last Saturday morning Lindsay VanOrman, 20, got out of her car after hitting a cat, and tried to help the animal, according to police. They said her vehicle was in the center lane with its hazard lights on when she was hit by what police said was a grey or silver Nissan Titan.
Investigators with the Unified Police Department say, Jonathan Barrus Lyman, 39, was driving the Nissan that struck VanOrman and claims he drove away after the collision and then tried to obstruct justice by removing evidence from the damaged front end of the car.
On Sunday, police said VanOrman died from her injuries on Saturday night.
Investigators used surveillance video and a witness tip and located the Nissan at an apartment complex. Damage to the front passenger side of the vehicle matched evidence, including a piece of plastic recovered from the crash that matched damage to the fractured headlamp assembly.
“It was a clear fit,” investigators said in court documents.
Family members mourn as police release video of suspected vehicle in Millcreek hit-and-run
Police arrested Lyman and said he waived his right to have an attorney present for questioning. Investigators said he changed his story during the interview when confronted with information from witnesses and evidence.
Police said the Nissan’s damaged area had been cleaned to remove any blood, tissue, or clothing that might have been transferred to the car from the impact of the collision.
“We have the car to process as well as cell phone data. And we’re just going to accumulate all of that and hopefully be able to determine if Jonathan Lyman was in that vehicle alone or a passenger of that vehicle,” said Sgt. Aymee Race, with UPD.
During interviews with police, they said Lyman also told them he owned a gun recovered in a police search and said that he uses meth multiple times a day. Because of these statements, he was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, a felony.
“The information contained in this probable cause statement is not the totality of all information available and only reflects that information necessary to show there is enough evidence to show Jonathan Jonny Lyman should be held,” police said in court documents.
On Monday, KSL TV spoke to the brother and sister of the victim.
“It’s like a nightmare we can’t wake up from,” said Sierra VanOrman, Lindsay VanOrman’s older sister. “This the worst thing.”
Family members said the pain of losing Lindsay VanOrman is unimaginable.
Lyman was booked into custody at the Salt Lake County Jail Friday.
