DES MOINES, Iowa - Police have charged a man with 1st Degree Murder after a pedestrian and a dog were killed Sunday morning.
Officers say evidence at the scene and witness statements show 49-year-old Robert Sassman were driving a pickup truck at a high speed when he struck the 38-year-old woman and her dog.
They say he was in the 1700 block of Beaver Avenue when the truck left the street, struck and severed a utility pole and then plowed into the woman and dog, who were walking on a sidewalk.
Officers say Sassman fled until the truck became disabled at Beaver Avenue and Hickman Road, and then left on foot.
He was taken into custody by Des Moines Police near Beaver Avenue and Urbandale Avenue.. An investigation shows excessive speed and the intentional act of striking the victim appear to be the major contributing factors. Impairment has not been ruled out.
The victim's name is being withheld until family is notified.