The Washington State Patrol launched a statewide hit-and-run alert system on Tuesday that will help law enforcement agencies readily identify dangerous drivers who have been involved in serious crashes, the agency announced Monday.
The alert system, which was authorized by the state legislature earlier this year, is scheduled for a two-year pilot and evaluation period. Last year, the state saw more than 300 hit and runs resulting in serious injury or death, WSP Chief John Batiste said in Monday's news release.
"In many of these situations, information about the fleeing vehicle was available that, if widely disseminated, might have helped us find a dangerous driver," he said.
For a hit and run to qualify for an alert, it must have resulted in serious injury or death, there must be enough descriptive information to help locate a suspect, and the incident must be reported to a local law enforcement agency, the news release says.
Alerts will be sent to media outlets as well as people who sign up to receive them electronically. Those interested in receiving the alerts can send a request to be added to HitAndRunAlert@wsp.wa.gov, and should include a cell phone number for text messages. State, local and tribal law enforcement agencies, along with the Washington State Department of Transportation, will work to disseminate information.
If you see what you think may be a suspect vehicle after receiving an alert, you should immediately dial 911 and report a location, Batiste said.
"Do not engage with the vehicle or driver under any circumstances," he said. "Let's all do our part to keep the roadways and one another safer."
