Officer hears accident, tracks down fleeing driver

An officer who heard the sound of a traffic accident early this morning tracked down an accused hit-and-run driver and arrested him early today. Daniel R. Savino, 34, was booked into Spokane County Jail for hit-and-run and attempting to elude Spokane police Officer Paul Buchman. Buchman reported that he was near Second Avenue and Crestline Street about 2 a.m. when he heard the accident and investigated. The hit-and-run victim gave a description of a fleeing pickup, which the officer found a short distance away. Savino was behind the wheel and tried to get away. Buchman pursued the fleeing driver to Mission Avenue and Columbus Street, where the driver stopped and was arrested. Two passengers fled on foot, and a K-9 was unable to track them.