Woman involved in a deadly hit-and-run accident is identified

The suspect involved in a hit and run case is identified a month after accident.

Jessica Van Wechel, 30, confided in a co-worker a few weeks after the incident, confessing to have left the scene of a crash which killed a 65-year-old man. According to KPTV the co-worker contacted police with the information after Van Wechel refused to turn herself in.

Van Wechel had been texting when she hit Stephen Dewey. Instead of stopping, Van Wechel fled the scene. Dewey died a week later in the hospital.

Police went to Van Wechel’s home and found a severely damaged car with the same paint color that was found at the scene of the crime. Her phone records also placed her at the scene the time Dewey was hit.

The Columbian reports that Van Wechel was arrested Wednesday while she was driving with a suspended license. Her first appearance in court was on Thursday.

Van Wechel faces both vehicular homicide and hit-and-run charges. Her next appearance in court is set for March 13.