Maycol Lopez-Perez, 21, of Seattle, faces charges of felony hit-and-run, driving while under the influence and third-degree driving with a suspended license after he and a passenger allegedly fled the scene of a two-car collision in Napavine Saturday.
Of the three charges, the felony hit-and-run carries the greatest maximum punishment of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
According to court documents, Napavine police responded to a two-car collision at Forest Napavine Road and Estep Road on Sept. 20, with reports that two suspects had fled the scene on foot. Upon arriving, an officer spoke with the driver who was hit, who stated that a vehicle had run the stop sign at an intersection and struck her vehicle while she was driving along state Route 508. A witness corroborated her story.
The officer then found several open beer bottles inside the unoccupied vehicle of the fleeing driver and noted that it smelled of alcohol.
Police located the two suspects. One of the men, Lopez-Perez, allegedly admitted to driving the vehicle at the time of the collision.
According to court documents, Lopez-Perez said he had consumed “three beers earlier and said he did not feel he was under the influence. He said he left the collision scene because he was scared and did not know what to do.”
While speaking with Lopez-Perez, the officer allegedly noticed that the suspect smelled like alcohol and had “watery eyes.” Lopez-Perez’s blood was drawn after police secured a warrant.
According to court documents, in 2024, Lopez-Perez pleaded guilty in Texas to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, after which his prosecution was deferred. The probable cause statement submitted by Lewis County prosecutors noted that Lopez-Perez was previously deported from the United States.
During a preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on Sept. 22, Deputy Prosecutor William Halstead asked for a bail amount of $100,000, based primarily on “the facts of the case,” Lopez-Perez’s criminal history and his lack of ties to the area.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller argued for no more than $25,000, citing Lopez-Perez’s lack of criminal history in Washington and the fact that he resides in Seattle and is employed.
Judge Paul Strophy agreed with Tiller’s request of $25,000 cash or bond, noting that Lopez-Perez cooperated once he was contacted by police. The judge did, however, acknowledge some concerns about the defendant failing to appear in court, given his criminal history and possible immigration issues.
An arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 25, with Chris Baum assigned to represent Lopez-Perez.
