Suspect arrested in deadly Tacoma hit-and-run was allegedly driving under the influence
TACOMA, Wash. - A suspect arrested in connection to a deadly hit and run in Tacoma was allegedly driving under the influence and failed to have an ignition interlock device on his vehicle, according to court documents.
Authorities say around 5:45 a.m. on Nov. 28, a person was hit and killed by a car near 44th Street and Portland Avenue. The driver, later identified as Kalolo Petelo, sped off, but a witness followed after him, getting his license plate number and passing it along to police.
Officers were able to track down the vehicle and the driver.
When they arrived at Petelo's home to question him, he said he had been returning home from his parents' home in Federal Way and said that he had been drinking.
"I noted that his eyes appeared bloodshot and watery. His eyelids were droopy. His speech was accented, but I believed it to have a slight slurred quality. His face appeared blushed, and he generally presented as tired and unemotional. He did not seem to appreciate the gravity or seriousness of the incident," the arresting officer wrote in court documents.
Petelo has been charged with vehicular homicide, failure to remain at an accident resulting in death, failure to have an ignition lock and third-degree driving while in suspended or revoked status.
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