Kenmore hit-and-run suspect is ‘Good Samaritan’ who called 911
Oct 22, 2013, 3:48 PM | Updated: 5:25 pm
A 24-year-old woman was ordered held on $25,000 bail Tuesday, suspected of hitting and killing a man with her truck in Kenmore, and then fleeing the scene.
According to court documents, Joseph D. Humphreys, 31, was struck and killed while walking along the 18400 block of 62nd Avenue Northeast around 1:30 a.m. Monday morning.
The King County Sheriff’s Office had reported that his body was discovered by a woman walking her dog, who called 911. KIRO Radio has since learned that the Good Samaritan turned out to be the suspect returning to the scene.
Defense Attorney Norman D. Partington Jr. asked a King County District Court judge to release his client on her personal recognizance Tuesday based on the fact that she was the one who alerted police to Humphrey’s location.
“She was actually the individual who contacted the police to get them there to investigate the scene,” said Partington, who noted that his client has no criminal history. “There was a delay, she did leave the scene briefly. At that point in time, she got the officers involved.”
Partington failed to mention that his client did not, however, tell responding officers at the time that she may have been the person who hit the victim in the first place.
The King County Sheriff’s Office said the woman later turned herself in at Kenmore City Hall. According to the sheriff’s office, her 2004 Ford F150 pickup truck matched the description of the suspect vehicle and had damage to the passenger’s side headlight.
Family members of the suspect were in court at the King County Jail to show support, but declined to speak with the media.
The woman has not yet been charged. If convicted of felony hit and run, she could face 31 to 41 months behind bars.
A second court appearance is scheduled for October 24.
