Woman identified in fatal hit-and-run; suspected driver in custody

PARKLAND, Wash. — A man who officials say is believed to be the driver of a van that crashed into a Ford Escape, killing the driver, then fled in another vehicle Saturday in Parkland is in custody, officials said.

Deputies said the driver, Daniel Paul Fullerton, 30, was taken to the hospital by his mother Sunday afternoon because he was complaining of a headache after possibly being involved in a crash.

Fullerton was charged with failure to remain at an accident resulting in death. On Monday afternoon he pleaded not guilty and his bail was set at $100,000.

The fatal crash happened around 8:56 p.m. at 138th Street South and Yakima Avenue.

On Sunday, the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as 69-year-old Patricia Williamson.

Family members gathered Sunday to pray at the spot where Williamson was killed. Family members told KIRO 7 Williamson leaves behind children, grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

"We have somebody who's pretty heartless here that just took off from the scene after an auto accident and left the lady for dead," said Detective Ed Troyer, with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office said the driver of a 1996 Econoline van was seen moving items into a smaller van after the collision.

"I'm guessing the person ran from the scene because they already probably have issues in the past, so you can add those charges on top of it," said Troyer.

Law enforcement closed the roads in the area Saturday for the investigation.

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