A tragic hit-and-run incident occurred at a car wash in Ogden, Utah, where 63-year-old Stirling Kelso was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Christian Hernandez Palma.
The accident happened on Wednesday, October 30, around 5 p.m., as Kelso was cleaning the parking lot.
Police reports reveal that Palma hit Kelso with his gray Lexus before fleeing the scene.
Despite the severity of the incident, Palma drove his car to a nearby wash and began cleaning it just feet away from where Kelso lay.
When approached by a bystander asking about the accident, Palma claimed he didn’t know what had happened.
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Surveillance footage confirmed that Palma’s car struck Kelso, who was not an employee of the car wash, but it remains unclear why he was cleaning the area.
After the collision, Palma reportedly stopped to speak with a truck driver, allowing police to trace the vehicle back to a nearby business.
Officers later located Palma’s damaged Lexus, which showed signs consistent with a pedestrian accident.
He was arrested shortly after and is now facing several charges, including felony hit and run and driving without a license.
Additionally, police discovered that Palma possessed a fake U.S. permanent resident ID.
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Kelso’s daughter, Misty, expressed her heartbreak over her father’s death, sharing fond memories of him.
“He loves eagles — he’s an eagle man,” she said, reminiscing about his passion for collecting eagle memorabilia. “He’s going to be flying with the eagles.”
Palma has been booked into Weber County Jail, and the investigation continues as the community mourns the loss of Kelso.
