Police ID make of vehicle in fatal hit-and-run

Published 2:51 pm Friday, July 3, 2009

EVERETT — A 1995 GMC Chevrolet Astro minivan was the car involved in a hit-and-run that killed 15-year-old Heather Trickler, authorities said today.

Washington State Patrol detectives and the General Motors Corp. identified the car after reconstructing evidence collected at the collision scene. Photographs and identifying numbers were sent to GM., which was able to identify the year, make and model of the pieces.

Authorities hope the key clue can help lead them to the driver who fled after hitting the girl, whose body was found June 1 along U.S. 2 at the eastbound offramp to Ebey Island.

Evidence showed that the minivan stopped briefly before taking off. Detectives believe the person at the wheel knows they hit someone.

Detectives are seeking help in identifying the minivan involved in the hit-and-run as well as its driver and any passengers in the car.

The Washington State Patrol asks people with information that might be helpful to call 360-658-2588.