YAKIMA -- More than 70 days after Evan Sanchey's death, his family is starting to get some answers.

Police in Irving, Texas, aren't saying much, but they say they've identified the driver who fatally struck the young Marine and drove off.

"It's a relief," said his mother, Jackie Olney. "Everybody is pretty happy. It brings closure. If it goes to trial, I plan to go. It's a weight lifted off my shoulders."

Deployed to Afghanistan in March as a corporal, the 23-year-old Yakama tribal member was on leave and headed home to Union Gap by way of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, where he had a one-night layover.

On the morning of May 19, he was crossing State Highway 183 in Irving when witnesses said he was struck by a white or silver Mazda that slowed, but never stopped. He died at the scene.

Olney said that Irving police called Thursday morning saying they'd identified the driver after he filed an insurance claim on a car fitting the description of the Mazda on the same day her son was killed.

Repeated phone messages left Thursday and Friday with Irving police were not returned. But an e-mail sent Friday to the Yakima Herald-Republic by Irving Sgt. Danny Webb said the vehicle and its owner have been identified and that an investigation is continuing.

More information could be released early next week, he wrote.

His note did not indicate whether the suspect was in custody.

After hearing from Irving police, Olney sent text messages to family and friends, including some who worried the case might not ever be solved.

"It's been some time since it happened and they always say the first 48 hours are critical," said Rainbow Azure, Sanchey's mentor, teacher and coach at the Yakama Nation School where he graduated in 2006.

Vivian Adams, Sanchey's grandmother, shared similar thoughts.

"We wondered how will the person who killed Evan ever receive justice," said Adams. "I can't understand why this person just left him like that. I know sometimes people can be frightened but you should take responsibility for your actions. For the family's sake, you have to own up."

Still mourning Sanchey's death is his girlfriend, Mariah Minphorn.

"He would have had one more year of service," said Minphorn. "We were going to get married and were talking about having kids and getting a house and a car. He will always be in my heart and I'm glad I had him."

Jamie Brisbois, Sanchey's aunt, said she saw how his family suffered not knowing.

"They wondered every day if this person was going to stand up and take the responsibility," said Brisbois. "This helped a lot, but this isn't going to bring back her son. This brings closure because he never made it home. It's like they were still waiting for him to come home."

* Viviana Buzo can be reached at 509-577-7675 or vbuzo@yakimaherald.com.