WSP Releases Photo of Vehicle Sought in Fatal I-5 Hit-and-Run

SEATTLE — Washington State Patrol detectives Friday released a surveillance photo of a vehicle they believe fled the scene of a fatal hit-and-run on Interstate 5 near Mercer Street last weekend, and they want the public’s help identifying the driver.

According to WSP, the crash occurred at approximately 12:55 a.m. May 31 on southbound I-5 near Mercer Street in Seattle. Two vehicles hit 53-year-old Brian S. Cimprich of Seattle as he walked in a travel lane of the freeway. Cimprich died at the scene.

The first vehicle, a black Honda sedan, struck the pedestrian and stopped. That driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Witnesses told troopers a second vehicle also hit Cimprich, then continued southbound without stopping.

As a result of the investigation, detectives now believe the second vehicle is a silver or white 2016-2020 Kia Optima. WSP released a surveillance image of the vehicle Friday in hopes of generating tips from the public.

WSP Asks Public for Help

Detectives want to speak with the driver of the Kia Optima. Anyone who recognizes the vehicle or has information about its driver can contact Detective Bergeron directly by email at Judah.Bergeron@wsp.wa.gov. For media inquiries, Trooper Rick Johnson handles press contact for WSP District 2 at (425) 766-0812.

In Washington state, leaving the scene of a crash involving death or serious injury is a class B felony.

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