LYNNWOOD — An off-duty Lynnwood public works employee is suspected of driving under the influence and hitting a jogger Wednesday evening, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene at 6:44 p.m. near the intersection of 31st Place NW and Larch Way, southeast of Lynnwood. Witnesses reported seeing a van leave the roadway near the 3300 block of Larch Way, hitting a garbage can and a road sign. The vehicle veered off again near the 3100 block of Larch Way, then swerved back into the roadway, striking the pedestrian.
The 34-year-old Lynnwood woman who was hit suffered life-threatening injuries and wasn’t responsive when aid arrived. She was transported to Harborview Medical Center. She reportedly had “significant neurological issues.”
As the deputies were responding, the suspect called 911 from his home, saying he thought he hit something on Larch Way, “then panicked and didn’t know what to do.”
At his house, deputies found a large dent on the front of a white van that matched vehicle descriptions given by witnesses. The suspect, 34, reportedly said he went to the store to buy a thermometer, though he couldn’t say which store. On the way back, he hit something, he reported. He couldn’t say what he hit, only that it was in his lane and that he “didn’t want it to happen,” according to court papers. Family members convinced him to call 911, he reported.
Deputies noted that the man’s speech was slurred, and that he smelled of alcohol. When asked for identification, he fumbled with his wallet for nearly a minute, and eventually handed over a credit card. He reportedly admitted to drinking, explaining he was “shaken up” and drank six shots of alcohol upon returning home. He added that he had a couple beers around noon.
The man was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of hit and run injury and driving under the influence. He had been employed with public works since December and was still on a probationary period, according to the city. He was fired immediately after the city learned of the incident.
“Our hearts ache for the victim of this tragic incident,” Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith said in a statement. “We continue to hold her in our thoughts and prayers.”
Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.
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