A 19-year-old Centralia man is accused of intentionally hitting a pedestrian with his vehicle in Centralia on Monday and is facing felony assault and hit-and-run charges.
The defendant, identified as Jose Maria Prado-Espinoza, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail at approximately 4:11 p.m. on Monday, June 9, according to jail records.
He is accused of intentionally striking a male pedestrian with his vehicle after previously getting into an argument with the man and then following the man in his vehicle, according to charging documents filed in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday.
“The defendant is alleged to have driven a motor vehicle intentionally at someone as they were standing outside their car,” Deputy Prosecutor Scott Jackson said during Prado-Espinoza’s preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday.
The victim reportedly told responding Centralia police officers that he and his passenger had stopped at a stop sign while driving in Centralia when a Dodge Challenger, allegedly driven by Prado-Espinoza, nearly struck the victim’s vehicle at an estimated speed of 60 mph.
After the near-crash, the victim reported that Prado-Espinoza continued to follow him in the Challenger before pulling up alongside the victim’s vehicle, where a verbal argument ensued.
The victim reported that he then pulled at the intersection of North Tower Avenue and West Fifth Street to film the Challenger following him. He reportedly got out of his vehicle to record the video.
As the victim was filming, Prado-Espinoza allegedly “drove his vehicle towards (the victim) and struck him with the vehicle” before fleeing the scene, according to court documents.
Video footage captured by the victim reportedly shows the Challenger accelerate and swerve into the victim, striking both the victim and the victim’s vehicle.
“The video ends at this point,” the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office states in charging documents.
Jackson, who watched the video, said Tuesday, “it’s very clear that the defendant intentionally drove to strike the victim.”
The victim sustained injuries to his arm and legs in the crash, with first responders noting that he was bleeding and required treatment from medical personnel.
Officers were ultimately able to locate the Challenger and detain Prado-Espinoza.
When questioned, Prado-Espinoza allegedly “admitted there was an argument” between himself and the victim and allegedly said “he may have ‘accidentally’ hit the alleged victim because he was scared and nervous,” according to court documents.
Police reportedly confirmed that damage to Prado-Espinoza’s vehicle “was consistent” with hitting the victim and the victim’s vehicle.
Prado-Espinoza was charged Tuesday, June 10, with one count each of second-degree assault and felony hit-and-run.
While the prosecution asked for bail to be set at $50,000 due to the severity of the allegations, defense attorney Rachael Tiller asked for bail to be set no higher than $25,0000.
“Mr. Prado is very young. He’s 19 years of age with no criminal history,” Tiller said Tuesday, adding that Prado-Espinoza had family in the courtroom to support him.
Judge J. Andrew Toynbee opted to set Prado-Espinoza’s bail at $30,000, an amount he said took into account Prado-Espinoza’s age and lack of criminal history.
Toynbee also granted a provision requested by the prosecution that prohibits Prado-Espinoza from driving a motor vehicle until his case is resolved.
Tiller indicated Tuesday that Prado-Espinoza was willing and able to abide by that provision.
Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, June 18.
