Victim of fatal hit-and-run crash on I-5 in Tacoma Saturday identified by state patrol
A 39-year-old Texas man killed in a hit-and-run collision on Interstate 5 in Tacoma early Saturday morning has been identified as Lance E. Melder, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The person who caused the crash carjacked a vehicle at the scene and took off in a white GMC Acadia, Washington State Patrol trooper Dakota Russell told The News Tribune Saturday. As of Tuesday around 11 a.m. there were no updates about the person’s identity or arrest status, and the case is still under investigation, Washington State Patrol trooper John Dattilo told The News Tribune.
According to a state patrol report, Melder was hit from behind on I-5 facing southbound at milepost 132, north of the Tacoma Mall area. An unknown driver driving a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado struck the man’s vehicle and totaled both cars. Both cars came to rest in lanes two, three and four of traffic.
Melder was from Temple, Texas, and was found dead at the scene, the report said.
Dattilo said the state patrol would issue a statement Wednesday calling for witnesses.
