Washington State Patrol detectives are calling on the public to help track down a hit-and-run driver after a pedestrian was struck and killed late on Dec. 13 along State Route 516 in Kent. The driver took off, and investigators now say fresh evidence has them zeroing in on a specific Lexus sedan as the likely suspect vehicle.
According to Kent Reporter, the crash happened around 11:47 p.m. on Dec. 13 just east of West Meeker Street on SR 516 while the pedestrian was crossing the roadway. Witnesses and fire personnel tried to save the victim, but the person died at the scene. The driver kept going eastbound, troopers said.
WSP says the car was a Lexus IS F‑Sport
In a Jan. 16 press release that detectives later summarized for reporters, Washington State Patrol investigators said evidence collected at the scene points to a 2014–2017 Lexus IS F‑Sport sedan as the vehicle that hit the pedestrian. The car is believed to have damage to the driver-side front bumper and headlight and may be missing a piece of black plastic cowling from the lower driver-side corner of the bumper, according to KIRO 7.
Victim identified
The King County Medical Examiner identified the person killed as 55-year-old Cipriano Valdovinos Pio of Kent. Next-of-kin notifications have been completed, and investigators are still reviewing the circumstances of how and why the pedestrian was crossing the road, per iLoveKent.
How to help investigators
Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or who has dash-cam or doorbell video from the area to contact Detective Aidan Lawlor at [email protected]. Those who want to stay anonymous can send tips to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound; FOX 13 Seattle reports that qualifying tips submitted through P3Tips.com could be eligible for a possible $1,000 cash reward.
Legal note
Under Washington law, leaving the scene of a crash that results in death without stopping and rendering aid is a class B felony and carries serious penalties. The statute, RCW 46.52.020, published by the state Legislature, spells out a driver’s duty to stop, exchange information and provide assistance after a collision, as well as the criminal consequences for failing to do so (RCW 46.52.020).
Roadway impact
The collision shut down SR 516 near Meeker Street for several hours while troopers processed the scene and gathered evidence. WSP says detectives are still following leads and are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have seen a Lexus with fresh front-end damage heading east on SR 516 that night, according to FOX 13 Seattle…