A 66-year-old Puyallup man was killed Friday after a vehicle struck him while he was walking along U.S. Route 12 near Packwood, and the driver took off instead of stopping. Investigators say the suspected hit-and-run driver has not been identified.
According to The News Tribune, which reviewed a Washington State Patrol memo, troopers found the man on the westbound shoulder of U.S. Route 12 after a westbound vehicle hit him. The pedestrian was later pronounced dead. Investigators have not been able to identify the vehicle or its driver, and troopers say the crash remains under active investigation.
Investigation And Witness Appeal
Troopers are asking anyone who saw the collision, or who may have dash-cam or trail-cam footage from the area, to contact investigators. No arrests have been reported and no description of the vehicle has been released. Local law enforcement says tips from drivers and residents could be critical in piecing together what happened on the rural stretch of highway.
Statewide Hit-And-Run Context
The Washington State Patrol has highlighted hit-and-run collisions as a major safety concern and in 2023 launched a Hit-and-Run Alert system intended to speed the identification of fleeing vehicles. The agency has said the state recorded more than 300 hit-and-run collisions that resulted in serious injury or death. For background on that program, see Washington State Patrol.
Legal Note
Under Washington law, leaving the scene of an accident that results in death is a felony. See RCW 46.52.020 for the statute and potential penalties.
