Ex-NBA player charged in I-96 hit-run

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) - Former NBA player Duane Washington was arraigned Wednesday after allegedly hitting a woman with his Jaguar and leaving the scene -- and court documents show he told investigators that he panicked.

Duane Washington was charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident causing injury or death, a felony for which he faces five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Estella Vitins was struck as she walked west in the eastbound lane of I-96 around 2 a.m Tuesday. The driver of a gray Jaguar allegedly stopped, then fled the scene. She was later said to be in fair condition at a hospital. The 70-year-old woman is suffering from dementia.

Washington, 47, was arrested later that day -- after which, court documents show, he confessed.

According to court documents, Washington said he was traveling at about 70 mph eastbound on I-96 at around 2 a.m. Tuesday when he saw a woman in his headlights. He said he attempted to swerve, but claims he didn't know he hit Vitins at first.

Washington pulled to the side of the road. At that point, a witness pulls alongside his car and asks Williams if he saw the body in the road.

Washington allegedly told the witness twice, "I swerved ... I tried to swerve."

Then, the court documents say Washington told an Ottawa County Sheriff's detective, he panicked and left the scene.

Late Wednesday afternoon Washington posted bond and left the Ottawa County Jail. He refused to comment on the case.

In an affidavit, a detective said no drugs or alcohol was involved in the crash.

Washington, who played for the New Jersey Nets and LA Clippers and is the brother of current NBA player Derek Fisher, lives in Caledonia with his wife and child. He is self-employed and teaches high school and middle school students how to play basketball.

He told the court he does "not have sufficient funds to hire a lawyer," and was appointed one by the court.

His preliminary exam on the charges is set for Sept. 25.