Gallup Police were able to track down a man, Aaron Lay Smith, after witnesses saw him hit a pedestrian with his car and then followed him to a local store.

The incident reportedly happened in the intersection of East Hill Street and South Strong Drive around 9 pm March 13. Callers reported a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle. The vehicle allegedly left the scene of the crash before the officers arrived.

Witnesses followed the vehicle to Lowe’s Uptown, 1120 E. Hwy. 66. Officers identified the driver as Smith, 23, of Yahtahey.

Smith was arrested and charged with Homicide by Vehicle (a third degree felony), Leaving the Scene of an Accident involving a death (a third degree felony), receiving or transferring a Stolen Motor Vehicle (a fourth degree felony), aggravated DWI (a misdemeanor) and Drivers Must Be Licensed (a misdemeanor).

Following Smith’s arrest, Police learned that the vehicle Smith was driving had been stolen from a man earlier in the evening.

Detectives are working to identify the pedestrian who was struck and killed by Smith’s vehicle.