PORT HADLOCK— A Port Townsend man was jailed for investigation of vehicular homicide Tuesday after he allegedly struck and killed a bicyclist, then left the scene, early that morning.
Jeremy Jon Morris, 40, was being held in the Jefferson County jail with no bond Tuesday.
He was driving south on state Highway 19 at about 1:10 a.m. when he swerved off the road and struck Esther Machado, 38, the State Patrol said.
Machado died at the scene, the State Patrol said.
Machado was riding on the southbound shoulder outside of the fog line and was struck just south of the intersection with Four Corners Road, said Trooper Russ Winger, State Patrol spokesman.
Her body landed in the middle of the road about 170 feet away from the point of impact, according to Michael Haas, county prosecuting attorney.
Drove away
After striking Machado, Morris turned around and drove north to a friend’s residence in Port Townsend, where he was convinced to return to the scene of the collision and turn himself in, Winger said.
By that time, State Patrol troopers, Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies and Port Townsend police were there, alerted to the collision by a call from a passer-by shortly after it happened.
Morris was taken into custody then, Winger said.
Machado was wearing dark clothing, and her bicycle had no lights or reflectors when she was hit, Winger said.
She had a Tacoma driver’s license but had lived in the Port Townsend and Port Hadlock areas for several years, according to Undersheriff Joe Nole.
Her residence was unknown to police, who considered her a transient.
Machado’s body was taken to Kosec Funeral Home in Port Townsend, where an autopsy will take place at 10:30 a.m. today, Haas said.
Morris is expected to be charged at 11:30 a.m. today in Jefferson County Superior Court, 1820 Jefferson St., Haas said.
Morris’ damaged vehicle, a black 1999 Ford Expedition, was impounded by State Patrol, as was Machado’s mountain bike.
Traffic was rerouted and cleared at 5:26 a.m.
Winger said the scene needed to be preserved to gather evidence due to the nature of the collision.
It was unknown if alcohol or drugs were involved, the State Patrol said.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
