Driver killed in hit-and-run crash in Spokane Valley

A man is facing a charge of vehicular homicide after fleeing the scene of a fatal hit and run Monday evening.

Virgil Seymour, 39, was arrested early Tuesday morning after running from the scene of a fatal collision near Broadway Avenue and University Road, Spokane County sheriff’s deputies wrote in charging documents.

Deputies responded to the area about 11:30 p.m. Monday, where a 2011 Ford F150 pickup truck, driven by Seymour with a female passenger, rear-ended a 2006 Mazda 6 sedan, deputies wrote in court documents. The Mazda, driven by a male with a female passenger, was stopped at a red light and began moving northbound on University when the light turned green.

At that moment, witnesses say the Mazda was struck from behind at a “high rate of speed” by the northbound Ford, according to court documents. The driver of the Mazda was killed. His passenger suffered visible lacerations, deputies said, and was taken to a local hospital.

When first responders arrived, they noted the driver and passenger of the Ford standing next to the car along with the Mazda’s passenger, deputies said. A deputy asked Seymour to come to him after exiting his patrol car, which is when the man fled on foot.

Deputies tracked him with the help of a K9 officer to the area of Broadway Avenue and Raymond Road, a block west of the crash. While detaining Seymour, deputies believed he was impaired due to his appearance, speech and mannerisms. Charging documents do not mention if Seymour was asked to perform a field sobriety test or to take a breath test.

Seymour was transported to the Spokane Valley Police Department, where he invoked his constitutional right not to answer questions, according to court documents. Deputies further noted signs of impairment, including bloodshot and water eyes, slow speech and slow movement of the head.

Deputies could not smell the odor of drugs or alcohol coming from Seymour when he spoke.

Seymour has no felony history in Washington.