David Arellano Tapia was sentenced in King County Superior Court for hit-and-run resulting in death in connection with the Feb. 1, 2025, death of Richard “Ole” Ward. Tapia was 18 at the time of the crash and had no prior criminal history.

Tapia entered an Alford plea, which allows a defendant to plead guilty while not admitting guilt. Prosecutors and the defense jointly recommended a sentence of 31 months, the low end of the standard sentencing range of 31 to 41 months.

Ward’s family urged the judge to reject that recommendation and impose 41 months.

“We do not forgive Mr. Tapia. We never will,” Ward’s mother, Sue Ward, told the court. “Today, however, we are here asking the court for accountability.”

Ward was walking across Northwest Market Street at 15th Avenue Northwest when he was struck. His mother told the court Friday that he had nearly made it across the six-lane road when he was hit. She said witnesses described the truck as traveling very fast and that the impact threw her son approximately 70 feet.

Ward’s family told the court he remained conscious after the collision and cried out for help. Two people stayed with him during his final moments, his mother said.

“Mr. Tapia did not stay with Ole. He did not call 911. He fled the scene,” Sue Ward told the judge.

Ward had celebrated his 39th birthday two days before his death. His family described him as intelligent, adventurous and intensely curious. He loved skiing, cycling, the outdoors and ancient history and earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

…

During her statement, Jillian Ward described the family’s efforts to find the driver after the crash. She said the family hired a private investigator, pursued media coverage and established a tip line while seeking information about her brother’s death.

According to Ward, an employee at the repair shop where Tapia’s damaged truck had been taken saw the media coverage, recognized the vehicle and contacted law enforcement.

“The defendant was not identified because he surrendered or accepted responsibility,” she told the court. “He was identified because my family refused to let Ole become another unsolved hit-and-run.”