Identity of Pasco Fatal Crash Victim Released

A 36-year-old man's identity was released Friday by authorities after he was killed Thursday by a hit-and-run driver.

Jason Edward Smith was driving near Road 36 and Sylvester around 5:20 p.m. Thursday when a white pickup slammed into the side of his car at a high rate of speed. Smith was rushed to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, but later died from his injuries.

The incident began earlier when Pasco police tried to pull over the white truck for a traffic violation near the intersection of 5th and Sylvester, but the driver sped off. After giving chase for a few blocks, police terminated the pursuit for safety reasons. A short time later the truck hit Smith's car.

The driver fled the scene and was able to elude police units, including K-9 dogs who were trying to track him. He was described as Hispanic, in his mid-to-late 20's about 5' 8" tall, and was wearing a dark shirt and possibly blue jeans.

Pasco police are asking anyone with any information about the incident to call (509)-545-3510, the Franklin County non-emergency line.