The Washington State Patrol reported an Auburn woman was driving under the influence when she hit another vehicle and killed a 67-year-old Lakewood woman on Interstate 5 in Tacoma during the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day.
Troopers later arrested Marina S. Cherevach, 25, and booked her into the Pierce County Jail on suspicion of vehicular homicide, DUI. According to the WSP, Cherevach fled the scene in her vehicle. The Pierce County Medical Examiner said Kimberly M. Rokpeter died at the scene of multiple, blunt-force injuries.
Here is a synopsis of what happened.
According to the WSP, at about 2:19 a.m. Nov. 25, Cherevach was southbound on I-5 near Portland Avenue driving a grey 2010 Jeep Wrangler when she struck a 2004 Lexus Sedan driven by 65-year-old Young Kim of Lakewood, in which Rokpeter was a passenger. Kim’s vehicle came to rest straddling two lanes, but Cherevach continued southbound.
Cherevach was injured and medically cleared at Tacoma General Hospital. The WSP does not know if she was wearing a seatbelt. Kim and a second passenger, Un A Kwak, 65, of Lakewood, were also taken for treatment to Tacoma General Hospital. According to WSP, Kim and Kwak were wearing seatbelts.
As of Monday afternoon, Cherevach was in the Pierce County jail awaiting charges on $250,000 cash or bail bond.
The collision blocked the roadway for four hours and 45 minutes.