Suspect arrested in 2021 hit and run injury incident

KENDALL, Wash. — Whatcom County Jail records show a suspect in a hit and run incident in the 7800 block of Kendall Road (SR547) on July 4th, 2021, was arrested by Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the jail on November 23rd.

Approximate location of hit and run collision

The victim, who suffered broken bones and other injuries, was identified as a 21-year-old Ferndale man who was said to have been helping someone with a disabled vehicle when he was struck.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Whatcom County Superior Court by prosecutors, a Washington State Patrol investigation into the hit and run incident determined that on July 4, 2021, shortly after 1am, the victim was standing on the driver’s side of a disabled vehicle when he was struck by a passing southbound passenger car driven by Darren Wade Hicks, age 58.

The impact left paint from the car on the victim’s pants, caved in the windshield and carried the victim approximately 98 feet from the point of impact. The car continued southbound and did not return to the scene.

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The investigation determined the driver of the vehicle made an effort to hide the vehicle during the days following the incident. It was located on July 8, 2021, partially concealed within a storage container. A search warrant executed on July 14, 2021, located items inside the car with Hicks’ name along with finger and palm prints identified as Hick’s.

Hicks reportedly confessed to having hit the victim when confronted by a friend of the victim months later stating that the victim had come out of nowhere.

Hicks evaded efforts by law enforcement agencies to contact him and fled to the Seattle and Bremerton areas in the days following the incident.

A warrant for Hicks’ arrest was issued on February 3, 2023, after he failed to obey a summons mailed in January to his last known address ordering him to appear in court where he faces a felony charge of hit and run resulting in injury.

As of November 24th, Hicks remained in custody pending a preliminary hearing and being able to post a $10,000 bond or $1,000 cash bail.

Hicks has prior felony convictions of 3rd-degree assault and possession of methamphetamines and 24 gross misdemeanor convictions since 1999 for driving while his license was suspended, 3 for driving under the influence and 3 for operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock.