State Patrol searching for suspects in Parkland hit-and-run

PARKLAND, Wash. — Just before 1 a.m. on Dec. 29, 2018, two suspects fled the scene after a hit-and-run and left a Lakewood man critically injured.

After weeks of investigating, detectives with the Washington State Patrol believe Kevin M. Koch was driving the vehicle and that his girlfriend, Nichole C. Martin was also in the car.

Both suspects are still at large and could face felony charges if arrested.

Meanwhile, the pedestrian injured that morning told KIRO 7 he hopes Koch and Martin are located before “someone else gets hurt.”

Mike Matzick said from his hospital bed at Tacoma General Hospital the impact “was so quick it was like bam!”

The 53-year old Lakewood man remembers being thrown into the air, high above busy Pacific Highway South near 138th Street South as he tried to cross the street.

Matzick’s right leg was struck first “and I started flipping up in the air.” His left leg was severely broken.

“All I wanted to do was to get somewhere safe, away from the car or traffic,” he said.

According to the WSP, Koch and Martin may be in the Puyallup area, possibly driving a red and gray Chevrolet S10 pickup truck or an older gray Volkswagen Sedan.

Matzick and the Washington State Patrol are asking anyone who knows where they are to turn them in.

“I don’t forgive them, because they might do it again” Matzick said.

Anyone with information on the collision or the location of Koch and/or Martin is asked to contact Washington State Patrol Detective Beeler at (253) 538-3172 or email Shannon.Beeler@wsp.wa.gov.

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