Bail is set at $10,000 for a man accused of choking and punching his roommate after they were involved in a minor collision in Centralia on Sunday.
The crash was reported at the intersection of South Gold and Hickory streets just after 7:35 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, according to Centralia Police Department call logs and charging documents filed in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday.
The victim reported that he had been driving his Dodge Ram pickup to the residence he shared with his brother and the defendant, Ramiro Lopez Perez, 60, of Centralia, on Sunday while his brother drove Perez’s Subaru with Perez as a passenger.
“Ramiro is the owner of the Subaru, but he was not driving due to his level of intoxication,” the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office stated in charging documents.
Initial Chronicle reporting citing Centralia Police Department call logs wrongfully indicated that Perez was driving at the time of the crash.
According to court documents, the victim reported that he struck the front left bumper of the Subaru with the front left tire of the Dodge while turning onto Hickory Street.
No injuries were reported in the crash.
After the collision, Perez allegedly “approached (the victim), wrapped his hand around his neck and strangled him to the point where he could not breathe” before allegedly punching him in the stomach, according to court documents.
The victim reported that he “was able to break free,” but said Perez “chased after him.”
The victim’s brother reportedly confirmed that Perez left the Subaru after the crash and approached the victim, but said he was unable to see the assault.
He reported that Perez was intoxicated and “had drunk a 24-pack of beer,” according to court documents.
When questioned by responding Centralia Police Department officers, Perez reportedly confirmed he had not been driving and indicated there had been a vehicle accident, but allegedly “denied anything happened after the collision,” according to court documents.
Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, March 27.
A no-contact order in favor of the victim is in place.
His conditions of release include provisions prohibiting him from possessing or consuming drugs or alcohol.
