Man allegedly ran over with a car has died; suspect facing murder charges
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP/KSAZ) - Authorities say a Surprise man now is facing a second-degree murder charge after the death of a man he allegedly ran over with his car.
According to Surprise Police, the man, identified as 19-year-old Chet Becker, Jr., drove into the man on purpose. The man, later identified as 26-year-old Samuel Zeldin, died from his injuries at the hospital on August 20.
According to police, Becker ran over Zeldin, who was his girlfriend's stepfather, in a parking lot near Greenway and Reems Road.
This reportedly happened after Becker's current girlfriend and mother of his child, along with another girl, were setting Becker up to prove he would cheat. Once he was caught, Zeldin was talking with Becker.
Becker was in his vehicle and Zeldin was at his driverside window. When Zeldin went to walk in front of his vehicle, Becker slammed on the gas, hitting him. Zeldin was pinned, and later taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Becker ran from the area but was caught a short time later, and has since admitted to doing what he did and said his anxiety got the best of him.
Becker was originally booked into jail on August 13 on suspicion of felony aggravated assault and leaving the scene of a collision involving serious bodily injury. He now faces an additional charge of second-degree murder.