SOUTHWORTH — Washington State Patrol detectives believe they have located the vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident March 22 that struck and killed good Samaritan Katie Phillips as she aided a stranded motorist at Peppermill Place Southeast and Sedgwick roads.

Detectives seized the vehicle, a 2002 gold Chevrolet Impala. The State Patrol didn’t say where the unoccupied vehicle was located and impounded. It was seized as evidence, then processed by WSP’s crime lab for further evidence.

They also are seeking witnesses who saw the collision or had seen the Impala en route prior to the collision. Due to the timing of the collision and its proximity to the Southworth ferry dock, WSP detectives said they would like to speak with anyone who may have in-vehicle video from a ferry crossing that arrived at the Southworth ferry dock at 4:50 a.m.

Phillips, a Belfair resident, was a Washington State Ferries employee working at the Southworth dock who had finished her night shift and helped an out-of-fuel motorist on a darkened, rainy road at about 5 a.m. While assisting the motorist, a driver behind the wheel of what was described as a gold or tan vehicle struck Phillips as she refilled the stranded motorist’s vehicle. The driver failed to stop at the scene and continued on.

If you have information, contact Detective Krista Hedstrom at 360-473-0142 or email Krista.Hedstrom@wsp.wa.gov or Detective Sergeant Mark Wilson at 360-473-0141 or email at Mark.Wilson@wsp.wa.gov.