CRIME BLOTTER

UW Tacoma faculty director charged in domestic abuse, DUI case

May 29, 2025, 12:37 PM | Updated: 12:37 pm

UW Tacoma professor...

A UW Tacoma professor has been charged in a domestic abuse case. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

A University of Washington (UW) Tacoma director has been charged with several crimes regarding alleged domestic abuse.

Kurt Dayan Hatch, 55, allegedly threatened to kill his girlfriend and drove under the influence, The News Tribune reported Thursday.

Hatch is the faculty director of the Educational Administration Program and Professor of Practice, as stated on the UW Tacoma’s website.

He was charged with two counts of a protection-order violation, felony harassment, fourth-degree assault, and DUI, according to the media outlet, citing court records.

UW Tacoma professor arrested after girlfriend called 911

Hatch was arrested on May 12 in Suncadia. Deputies were sent to the Prospector Inn after a woman called 911, yelling, “Quit hurting me,” The Tacoma News Tribune stated. When deputies arrived, the woman told them everything was fine and she was looking for her dog, however, Cle Elum officers learned the woman had a protection order against Hatch.

Hatch, according to the media outlet, is also accused of assaulting his girlfriend in November 2024, allegedly throwing her phone out a window when she tried to call 911.

The Tacoma News Tribune stated Hatch was booked into the Kittitas County Jail. He was arraigned and released on $50,000 bail.

UW Tacoma sent the media outlet a statement, linking mental health services and information for the Title IX coordinator’s office, along with the Washington Employee Assistance Program’s website and SafeCampus.

Follow Julia Dallas on X. Read her stories here. Submit news tips here.

Crime Blotter

lakewood 2-month-old son prison...

Jake Chapman, KIRO 7 News

Lakewood man sentenced to 34 years in prison for death of 2-month-old son

A Lakewood man was sentenced to 34 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of his two-month-old son.

6 hours ago

renton child sexual abuse...

MyNorthwest Staff

Former Renton resident gets 15 years for sexual abuse of 4-year-old, production of abuse images

A former Renton resident was sentenced to 15 years in prison for crimes related to his abuse of a four-year-old and producing of images of child sexual abuse.

18 hours ago

quintuple homicide oregon enumclaw...

Frank Sumrall

Victims identified in Oregon quintuple homicide as suspect found dead by suicide in Enumclaw

Authorities in Enumclaw found the man suspected in a quintuple homicide in Oregon dead inside a pickup truck.

19 hours ago

wa laser king county aircraft...

Manda Factor

WA law makes it ‘next to impossible’ to prosecute laser strikes on aircraft, King County prosecutors say

Hundreds of laser strikes on aircraft are reported in Washington each year, but prosecutors said the laws makes it nearly impossible to hold anyone accountable.

20 hours ago

Alki Beach stabbing toothbrush shooting...

James Lynch

Shooting leaves 70+ shell casings on Alki, no reported injuries

Seattle police are investigating a massive shooting near Alki Beach that left a condo and a parked van riddled with bullets but no reported injuries.

21 hours ago

Seattle police mother manslaughter...

James Lynch

1-year-old boy dies in Seattle apartment; mother arrested on suspicion of manslaughter

Seattle police are investigating the death of a one-year-old boy after he was found unresponsive in an apartment in the Atlantic neighborhood.

21 hours ago

UW Tacoma faculty director charged in domestic abuse, DUI case