Man arrested for DUI, running over family dog, Thurston Sheriff says
A 55-year-old man, suspected of driving under the influence, was arrested Saturday night on suspicion of multiple crimes, including second-degree animal cruelty, after he hit and killed a dog, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said in a social media post.
Thurston County jail records provided additional information about this incident.
Around 9 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a location near Dutterow Road after a man was hit by the side mirror of the suspect’s white truck while he was walking in the area with his child. The driver also fatally struck their dog before driving away from the scene, according to the sheriff’s post.
A neighbor provided video footage of the collision, including an image of the truck, the post reads.
Sanders said he was driving home from a community event and decided to look for the truck. He finally found it in the 200 block of Clay Court Southeast in Olympia. He observed a cracked mirror and dog fur embedded in the bumper, according to his post.
The truck was still warm, he said.
“The occupants of the residence spoke with us,” Sanders said in his post. “Initially, the mother told us that her son was the driver. After about 30 minutes of interviews, it was determined that the mom (allegedly) instructed the 18-year-old son to lie to the police and tell us that he (the son) was driving.”
Deputies soon determined that the step-father was the driver. He was booked into the Thurston County jail on suspicion of hit-and-run accident/injury, DUI and second-degree animal cruelty, according to jail records.
As for the mother who allegedly lied to law enforcement, Sanders said they would refer a possible charge of providing false statements to the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
As part of the investigation, deputies located video footage of the man allegedly drinking alcohol at an area casino.
The man who was hit by the truck is in stable condition, Sanders added.
