Tacoma driver hit pedestrian then collided with car carrying child, charges say
A 39-year-old Tacoma man is accused of striking a pedestrian with his vehicle before crashing into a Jeep carrying a mother and her toddler.
Prosecutors charged the man with DUI vehicular assault, making a false or misleading statement to a public servant and reckless driving. If the driver of the Jeep has substantial injuries, another vehicular assault charge might be added, according to the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
A plea of not guilty was entered on the man’s behalf during his arraignment Wednesday. Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner Barbara McInvaille set bail at $35,000, court records show.
Initial reporting of the crash on Monday reported two people, one on a bicycle and another on a skateboard, were crossing from south to north in front of an apartment building in the 2400 block of 96th Street South. Witnesses reported to deputies that a vehicle appeared to speed up and strike them, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson deputy Carly Cappetto told The News Tribune on Monday.
Cappetto told The News Tribune that she was initially told by deputies that the injured victim was on a bicycle. After speaking to a deputy Wednesday, she said it was determined the victim who was struck was on foot. There was a bicyclist and skateboarder on the scene, but they were not involved in the crash. Cappetto added there were many witnesses and different accounts of what happened.
According to charging documents, witnesses said they saw a green Acura Integra going east. A witness tried to yell at one man not to cross the street, but he did not listen, and the Acura crossed a double yellow line, striking the 31-year-old victim.
Documents show the driver of the Acura continued to veer into oncoming traffic and struck a black 2021 Jeep Compass head-on. The driver of the Jeep and the man who was initially struck were taken to a hospital for their injuries. A witness told deputies that the man might have been pinched between the vehicles at one point.
The pedestrian had multiple fractures, according to charging documents. He was reportedly stable.
When deputies spoke to the driver of the Acura, they noticed he had several small lacerations on his face and a swollen lip. They also noticed a strong smell of intoxicants coming from him, according to charging documents. It is alleged that the man slurred his speech and might have been under the influence of alcohol.
When the man was put into the patrol car, he asked if he hit anyone, documents show. The man allegedly struggled to understand the incident after deputies explained what happened multiple times.
Documents show the man said he was driving home from a casino when he allegedly struck someone. He denied drinking alcohol at the casino and then proceeded to say he was not going to answer any more questions without a lawyer present.
Two vials of the man’s blood were drawn after a warrant was approved, according to charging documents. The vials were forwarded to the Washington State Patrol toxicology lab.
The man has one conviction from Tacoma Municipal Court in 2011 for first-degree negligent driving, according to court records.
‘Just braced myself’
Aeja Latin, 26, was on her way to pick up her stepdaughter from school with her 2-year-old son in the backseat of her Jeep when the crash occurred.
Latin told The News Tribune that she could see people getting ready to walk down the street when the man allegedly struck the pedestrian who went through his car window. Latin said she could see what was going to happen next as the driver veered off and head toward her Jeep.
“I just braced myself,” she said.
Latin hopped out of her car and went to the backseat to get her son out. She said her son was not injured but had a few scrapes from the seatbelt.
“I’m doing OK for the most part, still very sore and everything, but I’ll be better eventually,” Latin said. “I’m more worried about the guy that was hit just because he has more injuries than we have.”
Latin was at the hospital that day until around 9 p.m.
“Mentally, I don’t want to drive right now, and, mentally, it’s kind of messing me up that I had to witness somebody almost get murdered, but I’ll eventually get through it,” she said.
Latin’s car is at a police station as it is evidence for an investigation, but she believes that it is going to be totaled. Since the crash, she has had friends and family come over to give them rides.
When asked how she felt about the man receiving a $35,000 bail from the hearing, Latin believes he should not have gotten bail.
“That’s been pretty low for someone who ... almost killed somebody,” she said.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Latin to support any financial burdens following the wreck and help her family get back on their feet. As of Wednesday afternoon, about $375 has been raised.
This story was originally published November 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
