Police Department

Suspect Arrested in Serious Hit and Run Collision

Cpl. Teresa Fuller

Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 10:56 p.m.

Spokane Police Major Crimes Investigators have arrested a male in connection to a serious injury hit and run collision that happened downtown early Thursday morning. After patrol officers discovered a damaged vehicle in Browne’s Addition early this morning, the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) was able to take Gabriel K Hein (28) into custody for Felony Hit and Run and Vehicular Assault.

Last night, south side patrol officers had been provided still photos of the suspect vehicle from surveillance footage pulled from the area of 2^nd and Wall after the hit and run crash that occurred just after 1:30am on Thursday, November 29. The footage showed what appeared to be a light colored late 90’s/early 2000’s Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable type vehicle.

This morning, December 1, 2018, just after 3:00am, officers patrolling the Browne’s Addition area found a gold colored 1999 Ford Taurus with extensive damage parked at the intersection of 4^th and Chestnut. Upon closer inspection, officers were able to see blood inside the vehicle. MCU Investigators were called out and had the vehicle towed as evidence. The registered owner, Hein, was contacted and subsequently arrested for the crash. He was booked into Spokane County Jail for Felony Hit and Run and Vehicular Assault. The victim is still in critical condition in an area hospital.

Original release:

Spokane Police are asking for the public’s help locating witnesses and/or possible suspects to an incident that occurred downtown early this morning. An adult male was found critically injured in middle of the street in the 200 block of south Wall. Police are asking any witnesses to the incident, or citizens/businesses that may have video in the area, to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233 to provide a statement or have SPD retrieve video footage.

This morning, November 29, 2018, just after 1:30am, officers responded to what originally came in as a pedestrian/vehicular Hit and Run Collision in the 200 block of south Wall. Once on scene, emergency responders were able to identify the adult male victim, who was being tended to by an off-duty doctor, and treat him for life-threatening injuries. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.

Officers canvassed the area, but were unable to find anyone who could provide a description of a possible suspect vehicle. They were able to find surveillance cameras in the area, but weren’t able to access the footage at this time.

The white male victim was wearing a red wind-breaker type jacket and red sweatpants and is in his late 50’s. Police are asking that anyone who was in the area at that time, witnessed something and has not spoken to police, to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233. Anyone who may have video footage in the area or was with the victim just prior to the incident should also call Crime Check.

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