Battle Ground man in court in alleged hit-run

A Battle Ground man accused in a hit-and-run crash Friday and evading law enforcement for nearly a full day was in Clark County Superior Court on Tuesday.

Nathan M. Hatfield, 18, appeared on suspicion of hit-and-run resulting in injury and second-degree burglary, court records show.

Clark County sheriff’s deputies had responded to Northeast 58th Avenue and Northeast 63rd Street in Vancouver for a hit-and-run crash. Hatfield was reportedly driving south on 58th Avenue when he entered the intersection with 63rd Street, failing to yield the right-of-way to a westbound vehicle, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The westbound vehicle struck Hatfield’s driver’s side. Hatfield and three passengers fled from the scene. The other driver, Fernando T. Bahena, was transported via ambulance for a medical evaluation after he complained of chest and neck injuries, court records state.

Three different police canines attempted to track Hatfield, but he avoided capture. Multiple neighbors in the area reportedly saw Hatfield as he ran from officers. He eventually locked himself inside an attached basement storage area of a residence in the 25000 block of Northeast 227th Street, where he was taken into custody Saturday, the affidavit said.

On Tuesday, Hatfield’s bail was set at $10,000. He will be arraigned March 2.