Pasco Hit-And-Run Driver Suspect Identified

Authorities are seeking a 23-year-old man as the suspect who fled the scene of a fatal hit-and-run accident last week in Pasco.

Last Thursday afternoon around 5:20 p.m., April 2, Pasco police attempted a traffic stop on a white pickup near 5th and Sylvester streets, but the driver sped off at a high rate of speed. After giving chase for a few blocks, police called off the chase due to traffic safety concerns.

The driver apparently continued to speed Westbound on Sylvester, before colliding with a car driven by Jason Edward Smith, age 36. Smith was pronounced dead at Kadlec Regional Medical Center later that evening.

Pasco police have now identified the hit-and-run driver, as 23-year-old Miguel A. Paniagua of Pasco. He is facing vehicular homicide charges after he fled the scene of the accident on foot. He was able to elude police, including a K-9 unit.

Anyone with any information on his whereabouts is asked to call Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers at (509)-586-TIPS. All information is confidential