** Update: January 2nd, 6PM: If you are looking for the latest information about this event, you can find the newest story on the hit-and-run HERE **
King County Sheriff’s Detectives spent the morning examining evidence from the tragic, fatal hit and run that occurred near North Bend early New Year’s morning and now have more information about the suspect vehicle.
According to King County Sheriff Sergeant, Cindi West, the victim, a Snoqualmie Valley woman in her 50’s (who has not been identified) was walking on 394th Place SE when she was struck around 3AM. The driver is still at large.
Detectives said the headlight found at the scene belongs to a 1987-1991 Ford Bronco or Ford F150 pickup. Detectives also said the vehicle will have damage to the right front end, NOT the left front as originally reported. The right headlight and turn signal light were broken off of the suspect vehicle and scattered at the scene.
If you have any information about this crime please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311. You can also call Crime Stoppers and earn up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case. You may remain anonymous.
***In order to receive the reward you must call the tip into Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)****
Comments
If apprehended, the driver who killed Cindi West will be prosecuted on Dane Rempfer’s Washington State law that was passed after he was killed by a drunk driver on November 7, 1998. Instead of being charged with a misdemeanor as the driver was in Dane’s case, this driver if identified will be charged with a felony, the same as vehicular homicide. We hope that this person steps forward. No one should leave the scene of an accident under any circumstances. Someone who is struck may still have a chance of survival and leaving the scene reduces that chance.
So that people aren’t confused, Cindi West was not killed. Cindi is the Sheriff Sergeant. The North Bend resident that was hit was Lucinda Fisher Pieczatkowski (see http://kirkland.patch.com/articles/north-bend-hit-and-run-victim-identified).
I’m really curious why they haven’t found the driver by now if they have found the truck. Stolen? Normally it seems like they’d release the owner’s name so that everyone can help find the person.
Just saw on the news that police recovered the suspect vehicle somewhere in North Bend.