Driver charged with murder after passenger killed in rollover crash near Tacoma

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Pierce County prosecutors have charged Mac Robert Tappon with second-degree murder in connection with a high-speed chase that killed a woman who was ejected from his vehicle.

Twenty-five-year-old Tappan also faces charges of vehicular homicide and attempting to elude a police vehicle, among other charges.

Prosecutors say a Milton police officer tried to stop Tappon for speeding at 4:30 a.m. Sept. 13. They say Tappon did not pull over and the officer pursed him until Tappon struck an embankment and lost control of the car which rolled several times. His 34-year-old passenger, Christine Pedro, was ejected from the vehicle and died.

Officers reportedly found a bag of methamphetamine, a handgun and live ammunition near the car.

Tappon pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday and remains in jail on $750,000 bail.