The man accused of hitting and killing a pedestrian in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood in February 2025 is expected to be sentenced in court Friday.
The man convicted of hitting and killing a pedestrian in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood in February 2025 was sentenced to nearly three and a half years in prison, the highest possible sentence for a first-time offender.
David Tapia, 19, pleaded not guilty to felony hit-and-run last November in connection with a deadly crash that killed 39-year-old Ole Ward on Feb. 1, 2025.
This September, Tapia formally entered a guilty plea by way of Alford, which does not require an admission of guilt, according to court documents.
Under state law, a first-time offender must be sentenced to a minimum of 31 months or a maximum of 41 months for this offense.
The state and the defense had previously agreed to the lesser sentence of 31 months, but Judge Maureen McKeen instead imposed the higher end.
"It feels good but not good because our son is gone," said an emotional Sue Ward, the victim's mother, after Friday's hearing.
Several friends and family members of Ward were in court Friday, and all of them pleaded for Tapia to be given the maximum sentence.
"For 601 days following Ole's death, Mr Tapia remained out of custody," Sue Ward said. "Ole didn't get those 601 days; he did not get another birthday, he did not get another trip. He does not get another afternoon with his family. He does not get the opportunity to grow older."
Tapia allegedly bought marijuana and alcohol with a fake ID before fatally hitting Ward and later posted about crashing his truck on social media.
He took the black GMC truck to a repair shop and lied about how it had been damaged, ultimately leading to his arrest weeks later, according to investigators.
"The tremendous pain was exacerbated when Mr. Tapia didn't turn himself in to the police to acknowledge his role in Mr. Ward's death," Judge McKeen stated.
The deadly crash happened at the intersection of NW Market St. and 15th Ave. NW around 1:20 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2025, court documents state.
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Ward was thrown roughly 75 feet, according to investigators.
Surveillance video, social media posts, and cell phone pictures reportedly link Tapia to the crime scene.
Tapia was released on bail in November after pleading not guilty.
"A piece of my heart was torn out that night, and I can't grow it back," said one of Ward's sisters.
Sue Ward, his mother, has publicly advocated for steeper penalties for first-time offenders in fatal incidents.
She said she has connected with several other mothers of hit-and-run victims and plans to continue advocating for them.
Tapia was given the opportunity to speak in court Friday and declined.
He will not be eligible for community custody.
