Kent Police arrested a 33-year-old Seattle woman on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, after she allegedly caused a hit-and-run accident and was found driving under the influence on East Hill.
Kent Officers were dispatched to the 27100 block of 132nd Avenue SE after a 911 caller reported that her vehicle had been struck by a westbound white Ford Expedition that swerved into her lane and then fled the scene. The victim was able to provide officers with the vehicle’s license plate number.
While Officer Morrison was speaking with the first victim, a second 911 call came in from another driver who witnessed the initial collision and claimed the same Ford Expedition had also hit her car. The witness reported that the suspect vehicle was swerving out of its lane and nearly struck several street signs near Wilson Playfields.
Officers quickly located the damaged Ford Expedition on 119th Place SE, south of SE 244th Street (map below). The vehicle had visible front-end damage, and its passenger-side mirror was dangling. As Officer Morrison approached, the driver attempted to turn the vehicle around but ended up driving onto a nearby lawn.
The suspect refused to exit the vehicle and was described as “extremely verbally combative” by Officer Morrison. Officers Brennan and Bateman arrived to assist and managed to remove the woman from the vehicle without further incident. Inside the car, officers found an open Lime-A-Rita sparkling margarita and reported a strong odor of marijuana.
Despite being detained, the woman continued to be uncooperative and refused to identify herself. Officers eventually obtained her fingerprints at the Kent jail, allowing them to confirm her identity. A judge approved a warrant for a blood sample, and the woman was booked on two counts of DUI and hit-and-run after the blood draw was completed.
Officer Morrison’s report noted that the suspect remained uncooperative throughout the arrest, using vulgar language and cursing at officers during the entire process.
“Nice job by the Traffic Officers in locating the vehicle and working patiently to get this dangerous DUI suspect off our roads,” police said. “We also want to acknowledge the impressive assist from the victims who provided descriptions of the car and driver AND were quick thinking enough to get the plate number.”