Couple Plead Guilty To Fatal Puyallup Hit-And-Run Nearly Year Later

A couple involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision in Puyallup last September pleaded guilty to charges filed against them one day before their trial was to begin.

Blair Jensen and Christina Ripple were racing another car in Puyallup on Sept. 8 when they struck a bicyclist and sped away from the scene, according to probable cause documents.

John McRae III was struck and later died at the scene. According to probable cause documents, Ripple admitted following Jensen during the race and said "that she had to swerve out of the way to miss the person Jensen struck."

Jensen and Ripple did not appear in court Tuesday, but entered pleas through their attorney. Jensen pleaded guilty to reckless driving and hit-and-run involving a death and Ripple pleaded guilty to second-degree rendering criminal assistance.

Police said Rippled helped Jensen hide from police before he turned himself in after the incident. Ripple was arrested after a tip led detectives to her.

Prosecutors said Jensen’s charges carry a stiffer penalty than vehicular homicide.

They will be sentenced in September.

Previous Stories: September 18, 2008: Girlfriend Of Alleged Puyallup Hit-Run Driver Enters Plea September 17, 2008: Girlfriend Of Puyallup Hit-And-Run Suspect Arrested September 16, 2008: Driver Accused Of Fatal Puyallup Hit-And-Run Back In Custody September 15, 2008: Puyallup Hit-And-Run Suspect Released After Making Bail September 10, 2008: Police Searching For Driver In Fatal Hit-And-Run