A man who struck a 7 year-old boy who was trick-or-treating Monday night was charged on Tuesday with vehicular assault.
Kasey Ryan Gunnarson, 38, was arrested Monday night after he hit a 7 year-old trick-or-treater with his car and then tried to drive away. Several neighbors, in the Tacoma, Washington neighborhood prevented the driver from getting away, by jumping in front of his car. One neighbor was a conceal carry permit holder and held the man at gunpoint.
The 7 year-old boy was holding his father’s hand while crossing the street, but then was hit by Gunnarson in his Toyota 4Runner, according to charging documents. The father was hit by the car, but came out uninjured, according to Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool.
The boy was taken to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in critical condition as of Tuesday and had a fractured skull, missing teeth and was severely bruised.
Gunnarson told police that he had been drinking and smoking marijuana just before coming home from work on Monday. He also told them that the boy ran out in front of his car.
Danielle and Michael Lester crossed the street with their two children and nephew when they saw Gunnarson hit the young boy.
“I actually saw the little boy fly through the air. It sounded like somebody hit a garbage can,” Danielle Lester told The News Tribune.
Danielle Lester then ran in front of the car to prevent Gunnarson from getting away.
“He was revving his engine and bumping against me,” Danielle Lester said.
Both Michael Lester and another neighbor, Kenneth Hines jumped in front of the car to prevent it from getting away.
“It took a second for him to stop revving his engine and then he tried to bail,” Danielle Lester added.
After calling 911, Hines jumped in front of the car and held the driver at gunpoint.
“I basically did a citizen’s arrest,” Hines told King 5 News.
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