State patrol: Driver in Vancouver hit-and-run caught

Troopers with the Washington State Patrol say they have caught the driver who caused a hit-and-run crash that injured a Vancouver man.

Epen Nazareth, 34, of Vancouver was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving and felony hit-and-run after he caused a crash near the interchange between state Highway 500 and Interstate 205, according to the WSP.

Nazareth was behind the wheel of a white 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV that was merging from 112th Avenue onto westbound state Highway 500 at about 1 p.m. Thursday when he side-swiped a 2005 Toyota Tacoma pickup, the WSP said.

The pickup spun around, collided with a concrete barrier and rolled onto its side, injuring the driver, Manuel Lomeli, 52, of Vancouver, according to state patrol.

Nazareth, who had reportedly been driving recklessly at the time of the collision, fled west on the highway, troopers said.

Lomeli was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center where he was treated and released.

Trooper Will Finn, spokesman for the state patrol, said a witness at the scene jotted down the fleeing suspect’s license plate, and detectives were able to track that to the owner and driver.

“Good witness reporting really helps us out,” Finn said. “If anyone ever sees a collision, get as much info as possible and pass it along to law enforcement. In this case it was very successful.”