DNA evidence from fatal crash leads to arrest

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.