Hit-and-run suspect still at large

[ Editor's note: The following information is from a city of Bellingham press release. ]

The Bellingham Police Department is asking for your help following a hit and run crash that injured two pedestrians. One of the pedestrians, an 18-year-old female victim, was transported to Peace Heath St. Joseph Medical Center with serious injuries. That victim was subsequently transported to Harborview. The second victim, a 19-year-old female, sustained non-life threatening injuries that did not require hospitalization. 

Witnesses told officers that at about 11 p.m, Friday night, a group of about 12 to 15 pedestrians were in the process of crossing Otis Street 100 feet north of Abbott Street. A car with its lights out, traveling between 25-35 miles per hour toward East Maple Street, struck two of the pedestrians. The driver continued down Otis, never stopping, then was seen making a left turn onto East Maple.

Witnesses told officers that they believe there was one occupant in the vehicle, the driver. Officers are still interviewing witnesses for a description of the driver. The vehicle has been described as an older gray "boxy" style car. As a result of this crash, the suspect vehicle will have fresh front-end damage.

Anyone with information concerning this hit and run is asked to please call Traffic Officer Henry Ortega 360-778-8628.

For more information concerning this press release, please contact Public Information Officer Mark Young at 360-778-8815 or myoung@cob.org.