Story Published: Jul 1, 2010 at 10:30 PM PST
Story Updated: Jul 2, 2010 at 5:29 PM PST
"We are at a point now where both our office and the prosecutor's office feel as though its time to move forward and we feel as though the information we have and the evidence we have in the case support the charge that we've decided on, which is essentially hit and run with injury," said Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers.
Grindley was found in a pool of blood on the Pullman-Albion Road on November 11th with what appeared to be life threatening injuries. Pasma was Grindley's boyfriend at the time and has been named the key person of interest in the case.
Thursday a charge against Pasma of one count of Hit and Run Injury Accident, a class C felony, was filed by the Whitman County Prosecutor.
The charge states that on November 11th of last year Pasma was operating a vehicle which was involved in an accident and that Grindley
was injured. The court documents say Pasma failed to stop his vehicle at the scene or render Grindley reasonable assistance, such as taking her to a hospital.
The maximum penalty for the charge is five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The state says they are seeking a sentence for Pasma above the standard range due to Grindley's extensive injuries. Sergeant Chris Chapman of the Whitman County Sheriff's Office said because of injuries suffered in the accident, Grindley has lost a large part of her memory and cannot recall anything about the night of November 11th.
"I think we feel as though there's a strong case," said Myers. "We have an obligation to do a thorough investigation and if we didn't feel as if the information didn't support this charge then we wouldn't be moving forward."
Grindley was released from the hospital in December.
Pasma is set for his initial court appearance on July 23rd.
