Lakewood Police Searching For Hit-And-Run Suspect

(This is from Lakewood Police, which is searching for a suspect in a hit-and-run that occurred early today)

On July 19th, 2012 at approximately 1:51 AM, an injury hit and run accident involving a pedestrian occurred at the 3500 block of 92nd Street South in Lakewood.

Responding officers arrived at the scene and found a black male lying in the roadway, breathing and unresponsive.  Medical aid was requested for the victim and he was transported to Tacoma General Hospital by ambulance.  Witnesses at the scene were unable to identify the victim, but told officers he goes by the street name/nickname of “J-Rock”.  The witnesses told the officers that the victim had been at the 7-11 nearby and was very intoxicated.  They told us the victim was trying to provoke customers at the 7-11 to fight him.  The victim tried to get the occupants of a dark colored SUV to fight him, but they declined.  The victim then walked away eastbound on the north side of 92nd Street, towards the Sage Terrace Apartments nearby.  Witnesses told us that the victim had headphones on and was staring at the ground while walking away.  They told us the victim suddenly turned into the roadway and was struck by a dark colored SUV that may have attempted to swerve out of the way.  The SUV slowed briefly after the collision and then fled the scene.

The dark colored SUV may be the same one that was seen at the 7-11 and LPD Traffic Investigators are following up with the 7-11 to view the video.  The SUV at the 7-11 was described as possibly a Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer being driven by a Samoan female and a heavy set Samoan male passenger.  The SUV was last seen going eastbound on 92nd Street South after the collision.  The SUV involved in the collision should have some damage to the front driver’s side of the vehicle.

LPD Traffic Investigators are actively working the case and trying to identify the victim.  It has been reported so far that the victim has a fractured foot, numerous scrapes and a collapsed lung.  The victim is not able to talk to us to give us a statement about what happened.

If anyone has information on this case or can identify the dark colored SUV, they are encouraged to call the Lakewood Police Department at the front desk (253) 830-5000 or the LPD tip line at (253) 830-5064.  Tips can also be submitted via the LPD website www.police.cityoflakewood.us or through Crimestoppers at (253) 591-5959.