Tow Operator killed in WA

Tow truck operator killed in hit-and-run crash on I-5

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/103711174.html

SEATTLE - State troopers arrested a woman who they say struck and killed a tow truck driver on Interstate 5 in Seattle early Friday morning.
Officials said the 51-year-old tow truck driver was on the ramp from Spokane Street to southbound I-5 working on a vehicle damaged in an earlier crash when he was hit about 1:15 a.m.
William Padilla, who worked for GT Towing in Seattle, was kneeling down at the front of the disabled car when a man driving an SUV in the HOV lane lost control and drove across all southbound lanes before hitting the tow truck operator.
"We had DOT at the scene doing traffic control... so it was a pretty safe scene," Washington State Patrol Trooper Trisena John said.
"But, still, this person for some reason cut across all lanes and ended up hitting this tow truck driver even though there was plenty of traffic control and plenty of lights to notify approaching traffic that there was a collision scene ahead."
Padilla, of Burien, died at the scene.
Investigators said the woman driving the SUV sped off but was captured minutes later at the bottom of the Michigan Street off ramp.
The driver and another person who was in the car at the time of the crash were arrested and booked into the King County Jail. Officials said both were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

And a follow up on the charges:

$150K bail for woman accused in tow truck driver's death

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/103792729.html

SEATTLE - A 20-year-old woman accused of hitting and killing a tow truck driver on Interstate 5 then fleeing the scene was ordered held in jail on $150,000 bail Saturday.
State troopers arrested the woman, Shavelle Lewis, 20, early Friday after the crash that killed a 51-year-old tow truck driver. She was booked into King County jail for investigation of vehicular homicide.
According to the Washington State Patrol, the tow truck driver was hit at about 1:15 a.m. while on the ramp from Spokane Street to southbound I-5. He was working on a vehicle damaged in an earlier crash.
William Padilla, who worked for GT Towing in Seattle, was kneeling down at the front of the disabled car when a woman in an SUV drove across all southbound lanes and hit the tow truck operator.
"This person for some reason cut across all lanes and ended up hitting this tow truck driver even though there was plenty of traffic control and plenty of lights to notify approaching traffic that there was a collision scene ahead," said State Patrol Trooper Trisena John.
Padilla, of Burien, died at the scene.
Investigators said the woman driving the SUV sped off but was captured minutes later at the bottom of the Michigan Street off-ramp.
When troopers arrived they found Lewis standing outside the SUV, but the keys to the vehicle were in her pocket. Officials said she appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
At Saturday's court hearing, prosecutor Jennifer Peterson argued for a $250,000 bail, saying Lewis has had 14 arrest warrants since 2003 and that she is a "danger to community."
Her criminal record includes previous misdemeanor convictions for prostitution and possession of marijuana, plus a gross misdemeanor conviction for fourth-degree assault.
Lewis waived her right to appear at Saturday's hearing in King County Superior Court. Her next court appearance is set for Tuesday.