License Plate and Fluid Trail Lead Deputies to Hit-and-Run Driver

TACOMA, WA. – A Tacoma, Washington man was arrested after a hit-and-run collision after Pierce County deputies ran the license plate from the bumper that he left at the scene of the collision.

On Saturday, July 14, 2018, at around 6:20 a.m.a couple woke up after hearing a loud crash outside of their home. The husband and wife looked outside and saw a black SUV had crashed into their vehicle that was parked by the sidewalk in front of their home on 28th Avenue E. in the City of Tacoma. The driver backed up and fled the scene, leaving his bumper with the license plate affixed. The husband got into a different vehicle to find the SUV while the wife called 911.

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The deputy ran the plate and learned that the registered owner of the vehicle lives around five blocks from the scene of the collision. The deputy also realized the with or without the registered address he would be able to follow a steady trail or radiator fluid that continued from the site of the hit-and-run to the home of the suspect. After following the trail, the deputy found the vehicle that belonged to the bumper parked in the driveway of a home.

Continuing to investigate, the deputy knocked on the door of the home. A male subject with a slur in his voice, unsteady stance, red and watery eyes, and a strong alcohol-type odor opened the door. The man explained to the deputy that he had fallen asleep on his way home and was aware that he hit the car, but did not want to wake the resident due to the time. He went on to explain that it was not a hit-and-run since he planned to return later that day with a letter. The deputy inquired about his insurance and the subject explained that he had none.

“When the deputy informed the suspect that he was under arrest for Hit & Run, the suspect again said that he didn’t want to wake anyone up and denied that he had left the scene because he was drunk,” said Pierce County Sheriff’s officials. The suspect was written a citation and let him return to his home pending his court appearance date. The deputy returned to the victim’s home and as he finished preparing the report, he saw the intoxicated suspect driving the badly damaged SUV back to the scene of the collision. “The deputy asked the suspect why – after being told by the deputy that he was drunk – he had driven his car there. The suspect said he came over to get his front bumper.”

The deputy requested a field sobriety test, but the 28-year-old suspect refused. He was arrested for driving under the influence and Hit & Run. He was transported to the station where he said that he would not take a breathalyzer test since knew that he would not pass.