SEATTLE — An emotional day unfolded in King County Superior Court as Sue Ward confronted the 19-year-old driver accused of hitting and killing her son earlier this year in Ballard.

David Tapia pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a Feb. 1 crash that killed 39-year-old Richard "Ole" Ward. Ward was walking in a crosswalk at the intersection of Northwest Market Street and 15th Avenue Northwest when he was hit.

Police say Tapia was driving a GMC pickup truck and fled the scene, leaving behind parts of the vehicle.

During the court hearing, Ward questioned what her son's last moments were like, asking, "Did he know he was going to die?"

In the courtroom, Ward called for accountability in the case, emphasizing the pain caused by the hit-and-run.

Court documents reveal that Tapia admi

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