Driver Who Killed Utah Runner Suspected of Driving Under the Influence

Jeremy Kunz, 33, was in Las Vegas over the weekend to run the Las Vegas Ragnar Relay with his family. Race organizers describe the event as:

RED ROCK then VIEWS OF THE STRIP at night then more RED ROCK. You and 11 of your closest friends running relay-style day and night. Starting in the red rock oasis of VALLEY OF FIRE State Park, your team of 12 maniacs will be embarking on a 180 MILE ADVENTURE-FEST sure to fill all of your desires. The party in your van will only get better as you leap frog your way past the breathtaking views of LAKE MEAD, stunning views of the strip at night and then onto the majestic cliffs of RED ROCK CANY0N The race (and your stamina) will wrap up at Red Rock Casino in the one and only city of sin, LAS VEGAS, NV.

Unfortunately for the Kunz family, the event turned tragic.

At about 4:35 a.m. Saturday morning, Jeremy was standing along the side of the road when he was struck by an out-of-control Nissan driven by a 25-year-old man. The car left the road and as it traveled across the shoulder, it hit Kunz and then skidded across the oncoming lanes of travel before leaving the roadway again and rolling. The driver sustained minor injuries but he was able to flee the scene. He was booked into the Henderson jail on suspicion of driving under the influence resulting in a death, leaving the scene of an accident and resisting arrest.

Jeremy is survived by his wife Melinda, their children Brinci Kay, Tobias Bart and Gage Charles, all of Kamas, Utah, as well as his parents and siblings. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the LDS Ward Chapel in Kamas.