A Longview man is facing DUI and hit-and-run charges after police say he came dangerously close to crashing into a house near 19th Avenue and Larch Street before driving away and slamming into a parked car down the block. Nobody was hurt in the Wednesday incident, but officers were called to the neighborhood.
Longview police arrested 45-year-old Jeffrey Law, identified as a local resident, on suspicion of driving under the influence, hit-and-run, and driving on a suspended license, according to KATU. Investigators say Law crashed near 19th Avenue and Larch Street and then took off before officers arrived.
Police said the driver ultimately struck only a parked vehicle, but came very close to hitting a house in the process, per the same report. The vehicle involved in the crash was identified as a Hummer, which officers later found down the block after the driver drove away.
No Injuries, but a Close Call for Homeowners
According to the report, no one was injured in the crash, despite how close the Hummer reportedly came to plowing into the home. The station's account indicates that after failing to stop at the scene, the driver continued a short distance before hitting the parked car one block away. Officers later found the vehicle down the block.
The case highlights obligations under Washington law when drivers are involved in property-damage collisions. State law addresses a driver's duty after striking an unattended vehicle or other property, under RCW 46.52.010, as well as separate duties when a crash causes injury, death or damage to an attended vehicle or other property, under RCW 46.52.020.
What Happens Next
It remains unclear what led investigators to Law or how they connected him to the Hummer, and details about how the arrest unfolded were not included in available reporting. What is confirmed is that Law now faces suspicion of DUI, hit-and-run and driving on a suspended license stemming from the Wednesday crash in Longview.
