OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is rolling out a new tool that aims to improve law enforcement's chances of catching hit-and-run drivers.
WSP launched the Hit and Run Alert system on Tuesday, which facilitates cooperation among state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies to "identify and recover a fleeing vehicle involved in a serious injury or fatality hit-and-run collision."
“Last year, our state saw over 300 hit-and-run collisions resulting in serious injury or death," said John R. Batiste, WSP chief. "In many of those situations, information about the fleeing vehicle was available that, if widely disseminated, might have helped us find a dangerous driver. We are working with our partners in law enforcement across the state and in highway safety at WSDOT to get the word out about these often devastating crimes.”
WSP listed three criteria that would be necessary for a Hit-and-Run Alert to be activated by the system.
- A hit-and-run collision resulting in serious injury or death.
- Enough descriptive information is available to assist in locating the suspect vehicle (i.e. a full or partial license plate, a description of the vehicle and any possible damage, location and direction of travel, etc.
- The incident has been reported and is being investigated by a law enforcement agency.
Alerts will be sent to law enforcement, media and anyone who signs up to receive them electronically. The Washington Department of Transportation may employ its electronic signs on highways as well as radio messages.
Batiste issued a reminder for anyone in the public who might encounter someone fleeing from a hit-and-run.
“If you see or hear the alert and then see what you think might be the suspect vehicle, call 911 and report your location,” Batiste said. “DO NOT ENGAGE with the vehicle or driver under any circumstances. Let our troopers and our fine local law enforcement officers do their jobs in safely and professionally contacting suspect vehicles. Let’s all do our part to keep the roadways and one another safer.”
To sign up for the alerts, people can email HitAndRunAlert@wsp.wa.gov with their name and cell phone number.
State patrol officers say there has been a gradual increase in hit-and-run incidents and other traffic violations over the last few years. In 2022, troopers responded to more than 4,000 hit-and-run incidents. According to state patrol, there were 305 hit and runs that involved serious injury or death.