This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A 25-year-old Washington County man was charged Wednesday with automobile homicide in connection with an alleged drunken driving episode in which another man fell from the hood of an accelerating car.
Randahl Keith Hill, of Hurricane, was charged Wednesday in 5th District Court with second-degree felony auto homicide, third-degree felony failure to remain at the scene of the accident, and class B misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence and reckless driving.
Hill was allegedly driving drunk when the victim — Bruce A. Smale, 52, of Arkansas — fell off the hood of the car at about 5:10 a.m. Tuesday at 300 N. Main St., which is near where Hill lives.
Court documents say Hill admitted to doing a "burn out," leaving two "long acceleration treadmarks" on the street while Smale was on the hood of the 1994 Ford Mustang.
Hill told police he accelerated until Smale fell off the hood, court documents state.
Hurricane police Sgt. Brandon Buell said "witnesses ... heard a vehicle revving [its] engine" at the time of the incident.
Hill allegedly fled the scene in the car, but returned before officers arrived, "to find his mother over the body of the victim," who was dead at the scene.
He told police he had been drinking all night with Smale, and admitted drinking about 12 cans of beer beginning at 10 p.m., according to court documents.
Hill, who was booked into the Washington County jail, is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Thursday.
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