Texting teen suspected in fatal hit-and-run crash
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - A Bellingham man was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver late Friday, and a teenager was later arrested after telling officers he was texting and "tripping" at the time of the crash, police said.
The incident began when a Bellingham woman reported her 54-year-old husband missing Friday evening. She said he had gone for his nightly walk at about 6 p.m., and by 9 p.m. had not returned.
An officer checked the area where the man usually walked and discovered an unoccupied 2000 Dodge van with recent damage to the windshield. The officer then learned that the van had just been reported stolen by the owner.
Suspecting a possible connection between the van and the missing man, the officer called for assistance, said Mark Young, spokesman for the Bellingham police.
At about 10:15 p.m., a police sergeant found the body of the missing man off the side of the road at Chuckanut Drive and Sea Pines - only three blocks from his home.
Officers then questioned the owner of the stolen van, who told them that his 18-year-old son had texted him earlier that the van had been stolen, so the owner had notified police.
Investigators then learned that the van owner's 18-year-old son allegedly told several friends that he had been involved in a crash. He became a suspect in the investigation and the focus of a manhunt.
On Saturday at about 3:30 p.m., the suspect was located at the home of a friend in the Fairhaven area. He was taken into custody without incident, Young said.
The suspect allegedly told officers that he was the driver of the van and was texting when the collision occurred.
He also told officers that he had been drinking alcohol and "tripping" on mushrooms at the time of the crash, according to police.
After the collision, he allegedly drove the van to Arroyo Park, texted his father that the van had been stolen and walked away.
The suspect, identified as Sean F. Crissy, was booked into the Whatcom County Jail for investigation of vehicular homicide, hit-and-run fatality and violation of a domestic order.
His first court appearance is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday.
The incident began when a Bellingham woman reported her 54-year-old husband missing Friday evening. She said he had gone for his nightly walk at about 6 p.m., and by 9 p.m. had not returned.
An officer checked the area where the man usually walked and discovered an unoccupied 2000 Dodge van with recent damage to the windshield. The officer then learned that the van had just been reported stolen by the owner.
Suspecting a possible connection between the van and the missing man, the officer called for assistance, said Mark Young, spokesman for the Bellingham police.
At about 10:15 p.m., a police sergeant found the body of the missing man off the side of the road at Chuckanut Drive and Sea Pines - only three blocks from his home.
Officers then questioned the owner of the stolen van, who told them that his 18-year-old son had texted him earlier that the van had been stolen, so the owner had notified police.
Investigators then learned that the van owner's 18-year-old son allegedly told several friends that he had been involved in a crash. He became a suspect in the investigation and the focus of a manhunt.
On Saturday at about 3:30 p.m., the suspect was located at the home of a friend in the Fairhaven area. He was taken into custody without incident, Young said.
The suspect allegedly told officers that he was the driver of the van and was texting when the collision occurred.
He also told officers that he had been drinking alcohol and "tripping" on mushrooms at the time of the crash, according to police.
After the collision, he allegedly drove the van to Arroyo Park, texted his father that the van had been stolen and walked away.
The suspect, identified as Sean F. Crissy, was booked into the Whatcom County Jail for investigation of vehicular homicide, hit-and-run fatality and violation of a domestic order.
His first court appearance is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday.