FARMINGTON — A woman who investigators believe gave a ride to a stranger was stabbed while driving on I-15 Sunday night and then tossed out of the moving vehicle, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.
The woman’s body was discovered about 9:50 p.m. on the side of I-15 in Farmington near Lagoon. UHP Lt. Nick Street said investigators were working Monday to identify the woman and notify her family.
Oscar Cuevas-Landa, 18, of West Valley City, was arrested and booked into the Davis County Jail for investigation of murder and aggravated assault resulting in serious injury.
“Based on the current evidence, (Cuevas) got a ride with a person (he) did not know. During that journey (he) stated that the victim looked at him funny, so he stabbed the victim several times and then pushed the driver from a vehicle moving at freeway speeds,” according to a police affidavit.
Witnesses told troopers they could see the vehicle moving “erratically in traffic and almost impacting the median. A short time later witnesses stated a person or what appeared to be a body came out of the vehicle on the driver side,” the affidavit states,
Street said Cuevas then steered the vehicle from the passenger seat as it rolled another 300 yards before coming to a stop. Cuevas then got out and walked away from the vehicle but was spotted by officers near the intersection of State and Main in Farmington, according to police.
“The deputy observed the individual had blood on his hand, forearm and pants,” the affidavit states. “(Cuevas) stated he was going to West Valley and she was staring at him so he stabbed her. (He) also stated that he had been using either acid or LSD and smoking marijuana.”
The woman was stabbed at least twice, according to police. Although the man claimed he was getting a ride to West Valley City, the incident happened in the northbound lanes of I-15, Street said.
How the Cuevas and his victim met was still being investigated Monday.
