CHP makes arrest in deadly August crash on Sierra Highway
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A 23-year-old man has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run crash on Sierra Highway that killed a pedestrian in August.
Garrett Shawn Smith was arrested by California Highway Patrol on Oct. 11 and arraigned last week on charges of hit-and-run causing death and destruction of evidence, according to court records.
Smith is accused of driving the car that hit 72-year-old Donald Jay Gillam on the evening of Aug. 22 on northbound Sierra Highway near Cerro Gordo Street, according to a warrant filed by CHP.
Gillam, who'd been walking in the roadway, was pronounced dead at the scene, officers said.
Surveillance video from a nearby business shows a car hit Gillam, slow down then continue traveling north, according to the warrant. The vehicle returns soon after and the driver gets out.
"The driver can be seen quickly examining the downed pedestrian before retreating to the suspect vehicle, re-entering the driver's seat and fleeing the scene in a southerly direction on Sierra Highway," an investigator says in the warrant.
The suspect vehicle, a 1998 Toyota Avalon, was found abandoned in desert area west of Koch Street in Mojave, according to the warrant. It had a damaged hood and bumper, and a shattered windshield.
Both license plates had been removed.
"Additionally, it was discovered that the exterior of the Toyota had been systematically doused in a liquid consistent with bleach, possibly in an effort to destroy or otherwise conceal potential evidence," an investigator says.
Officers contacted the Toyota's last registered owner. He said he sold the car Feb. 29 to someone he only knew as "Garrett."
The former owner said they conducted the transaction at an Arco gas station on Sierra Highway; a woman used Zelle to electronically transfer the $1,100 payment.
Investigators searched the woman's name on Facebook. They found she had interactions with a "Garrett Smith," according to the warrant.
A photo lineup was prepared containing Smith's driver's license photo and witnesses to the crash positively identified him as the driver, the warrant says.
On Oct. 11, officers went to Smith's home on Edwin Street in Mojave.
"Smith subsequently admitted to his involvement in the crash, flight from the scene, and subsequent tampering with and abandonment of the Toyota Avalon thereafter with the intent to conceal or destroy possible evidence," an investigator says.
