Girl, 15, killed in hit-and-run after church meeting

Two men were arrested about four hours later and booked into Pierce County jail after the crash.

Milton Police Chief Bill Rhoads said the girl, identified as Kelsey Parrett, 15, of Fife, suffered extreme injuries from the impact.

She was rushed to Madigan Army Medical Center and was found to be brain-dead. She died at about 5:30 a.m. Thursday, Rhoads said.

Kelsey was a popular ninth-grade student at Columbia Junior High in Fife, and had just turned 15 on Saturday, said Jeff Short of the Fife School District.

Rhoads said officers and medics rushed to the scene, on 15th Avenue near Juniper Street, at about 9 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from Kelsey's friend about the hit-and-run accident.

Students at Columbia Junior High write down messages and memories of Kelsey Parrett in a school corridor.

An investigation found that Kelsey and her friend were walking north along the shoulder of 15th Avenue, on their way to the friend's house, when she was hit from behind by a van.

Witnesses told investigators that a white 1995 GMC Stepvan came up behind the two girls and drove off the roadway, hitting Kelsey, who was nearest the roadway.

The van swerved left and kept going up the street, then came to a stop, witnesses told the Washington State Patrol.

The driver, identified as Robert V. Mitzel, 47, and his passenger, Gary W. Baines, 48, got out of the van and went back to the two girls, the State Patrol said in a statement.

After having a brief conversation with them, the pair got back in the van and drove to Mitzel's residence on Hemlock Court, about a half-mile away, the State Patrol said. They parked the van and the two men eventually walked back to the accident scene.

After a short while, the pair then walked away from the scene without talking to police or admitting any involvement in the crash, Rhoads said. They were followed by officers and arrested.

Mitzel was booked into Pierce County jail for investigation of vehicular homicide. He is currently being held on $50,000 bail.

Baines also was booked into jail. Rhoads said the passenger was arrested because he had a responsibility to report what he knew about the deadly accident, but failed to do so.

It is believed alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, the State Patrol said.

Grief counselors were at Columbia Junior High on Thursday to help students and teachers cope with the trauma of Kelsey's sudden death. Several students were allowed to go home because they couldn't handle the tragic news.

The friend who was with Kelsey at the time of the crash did attend school, so she could be there for their other friends, Short said.

He said Kelsey was a popular student who was well-known at the school. He described her as a hard worker who helped out with drama productions.

She attended church regularly, and was walking home from a Wednesday night youth meeting when she was struck and killed, Short said.

A vigil for Kelsey is planned at 8 p.m. Thursday at the accident scene.