Fatal Hit And Run Suspect Arrested In South Hill: Sheriff

PUYALLUP, WA - Pierce County Sheriff's deputies on Friday arrested the man they believe is responsible for a fatal hit and run incident that occurred in Spanaway roughly two weeks ago.

The unidentified 18-year-old suspect was reportedly arrested at his parents home in South Hill around 7:30 a.m. Feb. 1. At the home investigators also found and impounded as evidence the car they believe was involved in the collision.

It's unclear whether the suspect's parents were aware of their son's alleged involvement. Calls to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office were not immediately returned.

Police had been searching for the hit and run suspect since Jan. 15, when 40-year-old Ariel Vazquez Lopez was struck by a car whilst walking along the 1400-block of 152nd Street East in Spanaway. Lopez was still alive when a passerby found him around 7:45 p.m., but he later died of his critical injuries.

After locating a damaged side mirror near the scene of the collision, investigators identified the suspected vehicle as a white Toyota Camry model built between 1997 and 2001.

The sheriff's office in its arrest announcement thanked the community members who stepped forward with tips that helped investigators identify and locate the suspect.

As the investigation continues, however, anyone with additional information to share is encouraged to contact the Pierce County Sheriff's Office or Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959.

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Images via Pierce County Sheriff's Office