The driver convicted in a hit and run nearly a year ago in Vernal in which a young woman was struck and dragged several blocks has been sentenced in 8th District Court. According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, camera footage showed that on August 13, 2024, a black SUV hit a cyclist near the Rec Center on 500 South Vernal Avenue and began dragging the victim. Camera footage from the Uintah Care Center showed the same black Nissan traveling at a high rate of speed and not stopping at the four way stop intersection at 500 West. In canvassing the area, investigators located a black Nissan Pathfinder parked at a nearby residence. The registered owner of the vehicle came back as then 42-year-old Ramos Ray Cesspooch. Cesspooch claimed that nobody had been driving the vehicle but officers noticed that heat was coming from the vehicle’s engine bay. Hair consistent with the cyclist that was struck was also observed in the passenger side front wheel well of the vehicle yet still Cesspooch denied hitting anything. He was brought into custody on a probation hold until a search warrant was complete and he was officially arrested for the hit and run. Cesspooch was charged with a variety of violations, including Driving on a Suspended License, Reckless Driving, Failure to Remain at an Accident Involving Serious Injury, and Aggravated Assault Resulting in Serious Injury. The young woman remained in the hospital for some time recovering from her injuries. Cesspooch pleaded Guilty in March to Failure to Remain at an Accident Involving Serious Injury and 2nd Degree Felony Aggravated Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. He was sentenced on July 22nd to an indeterminate term of zero to 15 years in the Utah State Prison for the conviction of Aggravated Assault Resulting In Serious Bodily Injury. For the conviction of Failure To Remain At An Accident Involving Serious Injury, Cesspooch was sentenced to a term of 364 days in Jail. Court documents state that the sentences imposed in this case shall be served consecutively to each other and consecutively to any of Cesspooch’s other cases.
