Man sentenced to 8 years for vehicular homicide in downtown Tacoma last year

TACOMA -- Jason Raynaldo Tamayo, 45, was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison for hitting and killing a 56-year-old worker who was unloading his truck in downtown Tacoma last year.

In March, Tamayo pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide.

“This is another horrible illustration of why drugs and driving don’t mix,” said Pierce County prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “Mr. Nigh was well known and well liked in the community.”

On May 23, 2014, Mark Nigh and his adult son were delivering glass to an apartment building near Commerce and South Seventh Streets.

As Nigh was loading his tools into the back of his work truck, Tamayo’s Jeep slammed into him, pinning Nigh and severing his legs. He was transported to the hospital, but died two days later.

Witnesses said Tamayo was speeding, ran a stop sign and swerved into oncoming lanes to pass two cars just before striking Nigh.

Tamayo was also transported to the hospital for treatment. When paramedics removed his socks, they found a small plastic bag of methamphetamine stuck to his leg, the prosecutor's office said.

Officers determined Tamayo was impaired by drugs.