** WA woman sentenced to 6 years for fatal DUI hit-and-run from 2020

Tachelle Thomas, a 24-year-old woman from Lynnwood, Washington, was sentenced to 6. 5 years in prison for causing a fatal hit-and-run accident in December 2020. While driving on Highway 99 under the influence of marijuana, she struck 72-year-old Fozieh Shirdelhefzabad, who was crossing the street in a designated crosswalk. After fleeing the scene, Shirdelhefzabad died weeks later from injuries including a skull fracture and traumatic brain injury. The Snohomish County Superior Court found Thomas guilty of vehicular homicide and hit-and-run fatality, leading to her sentencing.

Court documents revealed that Thomas's sister had permitted her to use the car and urged her to return to the accident scene after she confessed to hitting someone. Additionally, Thomas has a troubling criminal history, including prior convictions for domestic violence and sexual assault. This incident raises significant concerns about impaired driving and its devastating consequences on innocent victims, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence and the broader implications for community safety.