A man whose 18th birthday party turned into a bloody brawl left the celebration and was fatally struck by a vehicle early Sunday morning in Goodyear, police said.

Jered Pendleton only had a month to go at Westview High School before he embarked on his dream to become a model.

The peaceful party at a Goodyear home suddenly turned violent.

"Two guys were fighting over a girl," said Erin, one of Pendleton's close friends. "Basically they started punching each other and more guys jumped in."

The fight intensified with fists flying, partygoers said.

"There was blood everywhere," Erin said. "There was a bat involved. Basically everyone started leaving because the cops showed up."

Pendleton took off on foot and made it to Yuma Road and Bullard Avenue about a mile and a half away. Police said a silver vehicle hit the Avondale teen and fled the scene around 4:30 a.m.

Erin said he believes somebody intentionally ran Pendleton off the road. "Maybe because they thought he started the fight or because he didn't get into the fight and back his friends up," Erin said.

Another friend, Chris, said it's hard to fathom somebody would think of doing such a thing.

"I wouldn't assume anybody would want to hit Jered with a car," he said. "He's a pretty nice, fun-loving guy. Always kept nose clean. He was never one for conflict."

Police said they need information, such as help identifying who was at the party.

"We also need any information on a car that was damaged this weekend, possibly to the hood and or roof," said John Rowan, Goodyear Police Department's public information officer.