DNA evidence from fatal crash leads to arrest

by Melissa Sánchez
Yakima Herald-Republic

Links
Email_black_18  E-mail           Print_black_18  Print            Talk_black_18  Comments
Advertisement

More 'Local'

  1. CWU teacher education programs in good standing
  2. Third suspect arrested in fatal shooting of Las Vegas officer
  3. Red Cross urges sending holiday cards to service members
  4. Selah schools superintendent gets state honor
  5. Mexican growers' coalition donates apples to food bank
  6. Two pedestrians hit by vehicles in separate incidents
  7. Struggle in pickup with officer may draw assault charge
More Stories:   Today's News | This Week

 

YAKIMA, Wash. — DNA evidence has led to the arrest a man authorities believe fled the scene of a fatal one-car accident in November near White Swan.

The 22-year-old Yakima man faces hit-and-run and vehicular assault charges in the Nov. 15 death of 24-year-old Mario Martinez Bautista.

Authorities said DNA from blood found in the 1990 Geo Prism matches that of the suspect, from whom a DNA sample was taken during the Washington State Patrol's initial investigation.

State Patrol investigators believe the driver was drunk and lost control of the car, which rolled over on the gravel road. Authorities believe Martinez was ejected from the open passenger-side window.

Martinez died of head injuries. He'd lived in the Yakima Valley for several years and was most recently working for the Shinn and Sons hop farm in the Toppenish area. His body was repatriated to Mexico.

According to investigators, relatives of Martinez told them they believed the suspect was in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Authorities said the suspect got out of the vehicle, turned his friend's body over to search for his cell phone and then walked away. Separate pools of blood below and near Martinez's head led authorities to believe his body was turned over.

The suspect "failed to render or call for assistance," according to charging documents.

The two men were on their way to a party off Lateral A Road near Jones Road, authorities said.

Witnesses at the party later told investigators that the suspect showed up at the party later, covered in dirt and with cuts on his forehead, according to State Patrol.

Immigration authorities also have a hold on the suspect and he remains in the Yakima County jail.

 

* Melissa Sánchez can be reached at 509-577-7675 or msanchez@yakimaherald.com.



Commentsicon2
Log in or Register to leave a comment.

Posting Guidelines - Updated Aug. 21 2009
Readers are encouraged to use these forums to discuss issues affecting the Yakima Valley. Debate the ideas presented in stories and other comments, but refrain from personal attacks and offensive remarks aimed at others; e.g., you may call an idea idiotic, but don't say the person is an idiot. The Herald-Republic reserves the right to remove any comment for any reason. Examples include material that is obscene, encourages illegal activity or stereotypes based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and other factors. Continued violation of these guidelines can lead to suspension or revocation of your ability to post comments. If you believe a comment is inappropriate, you can bring it to our attention by clicking the "report violation" link by each comment. Guidelines revised Aug. 21, 2009.

Registered User?