Portland driver accused in Vancouver hit-run has record

Published 1:34 pm Wednesday, December 10, 2014

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Prosecutors say the Portland driver accused of killing a woman on a Vancouver sidewalk has a criminal record of similar offenses.

Matthew S. Purifoy appeared in court Tuesday and was ordered held in the Clark County Jail on $500,000 bail until his Dec. 19 arraignment.

Deputy Prosecutor Rebecca Warren said the 33-year-old has a criminal history of reckless driving, hit-and-run, and driving under the influence.

Police said Purifoy was driving erratically on I-205 Monday, left the freeway and hit Anita Walters who was standing on a sidewalk near the Vancouver Mall. The 57-year-old was wearing a yellow vest as part of a county work-release crew.

Walters crashed a short distance away. Police say he was unaware he had struck anyone and appeared to be impaired.