Hit and run near East Wenatchee kills man

WENATCHEE — A Leavenworth man was arrested for felony hit and run following an accident that left an unidentified man dead early Sunday on S.R. 28 between Rock Island and East Wenatchee, according to the Washington State Patrol.

In a press statement, the WSP said Thomas O’Connel, 58, was driving a 2003 gray BMW 325 eastbound on S.R. 28 approaching Tyee Avenue when he struck and killed an unidentified man.

O’Connell reportedly fled the scene, according to the statement, but was apprehended approximately an hour later after his vehicle, which was damaged in the accident, became disabled just across the Columbia River from Wenatchee near the intersection of S.R. 2 and NW Cascade Avenue.

“He was booked into (the Chelan County Regional) jail for felony hit and run,” said WSP public information officer Trooper John Bryant.

Bryant said the body of the victim, who had yet to be identified as of press time, was in the custody of the Douglas County coroner.

“The investigation is ongoing,” Bryant said.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at cfeatherstone@columbiabasinherald.com