Updated at 1:39 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The Washington State Patrol has interviewed a motorist who thinks they possibly hit the pedestrian who died along U.S. Highway 12 on Monday night.
Troopers called to the scene near Gershick Road in Silver Creek for a man lying on the shoulder of the highway at 8:33 p.m. that night determined he had been struck by an eastbound vehicle, which did not remain at the scene.
The Lewis County Coroner’s Office positively identified the victim as Richard E. Graham, 45, of Silver Creek.
State patrol spokesperson Trooper Will Finn said today:
“Now, with help from the media, we had somebody come forward yesterday and say ‘Hey, I think it might have been me.’ ”
Finn said the driver is being “completely cooperative.”
The driver, who Finn did not identify as a male or a female, told authorities of hearing something hit or strike their vehicle, like maybe a rock or a branch, but not seeing Graham, according to Finn.
The driver said they looked in their rear view mirror and noticed a vehicle following behind, which didn’t stop, or flash its lights or do anything to suggest they noticed anything out of the ordinary, according to Finn.
Troopers observed some slight damage to the driver’s vehicle, which will be forensically analyzed, Finn said.
Finn noted the area is extremely dark at night.
Coroner Warren McLeod late yesterday afternoon stated in a press release that Graham died from blunt force trauma to the head, neck and torso. McLeod has already concluded the manner of death was accidental.
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For background, read “Fatal hit and run in East Lewis County leaves man dead” from Tuesday September 25, 2018, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
You know how many times I have been told Twitchy Richy was hit and killed on that stretch of 12? In local folklore, he had more lives than a cat!
Ya, why isn’t the possible hit and run suspect not being named, and why have they not been charged with vehicular assault, hit and run, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
That us what I want to know.
Also, this man walked SR 12 all the time for years, never, and I mean never have I ever seen him in the road or on the white line, ever. Therefore whom ever it was that killed him had to of been driving the shoulder of the road. ie: drunk or intoxicated more then likely.
Rest easy richy. No more pain just peace and happiness.
I passed this scene after police had arrived. It wasn’t extremely dark, and there are no branches to hit, or even rocks. I could have believed that they thought it was some kind of animal like a deer but to wait two days to come in is fishy.
Rest in peace Richie !