Drunk Driving Accident

Impaired Drivers and You

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on July 22, 2018

Despite years of public campaigns against driving while under the influence, impaired drivers continue to plague our roads. As the Washington Safety Traffic Commission points out, impaired driving is still a leading factor in Washington traffic deaths. And while driving under the influence of alcohol used to be the main issue, with the recent legalization of marijuana, more and more drivers are getting behind the wheel while high, many believing they are not impaired in any way. Read the rest »

Four Car Washington DUI Accident Claims the Life of Navy Veteran

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on December 1, 2015

A four-vehicle pile-up believed to have been caused by an impaired driver has claimed the life of a local Navy veteran.

The 71-year-old veteran, a Belfair resident, was rear-ended on State Route 16. The impact forced the veteran’s vehicle into oncoming traffic, causing a head-on collision with another vehicle. Read the rest »

Help Prevent Seattle Drunk Driving Accidents This Fall

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on October 4, 2015

Fall football games are a great way to have fun, see friends, and relax after a hard work week. If you’re hosting a weekend get-together for a Seahawks game or other fun fall event, your efforts can go a long way toward protecting those you love and preventing a drunk driving accident from causing serious harm.

Here’s how: Read the rest »

Drunk Driver Causes Fatal Seattle Crash

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on April 13, 2015

A three-vehicle Seattle car accident recently resulted in one fatality, three injuries, and two arrests. According to a KIRO-TV news report, the fatal car crash occurred on southbound Interstate 5 near Boeing Access Road in Seattle. Officials say the 21-year-old driver from Centralia who caused the crash was under the influence. His 23-year-old female passenger was killed. Three others were injured in the crash as well. Drivers of both an SUV and a blue passenger vehicle were arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide. Authorities suspect road rage and impairment contributed to the crash.

According to Washington Statute RCW 46.61.520: “When the death of any person ensues within three years as a proximate result of injury proximately caused by the driving of any vehicle by any person, the driver is guilty of vehicular homicide if the driver was operating a motor vehicle…in a reckless manner, with disregard for the safety of others or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.” Read the rest »

Drunk Driver Causes Head-On Collision

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on November 17, 2014

A woman was injured in a Tacoma car accident when the 2004 Honda Accord in which she was riding was struck head-on by a 2011 Toyota RAV4 that was going in the wrong direction. According to a KOMO News report, the wrong way accident occurred on the Interstate 5 in Tacoma. Officials say the 86-year-old driver of the Toyota was under the influence of alcohol when he crashed into a 2008 Dodge Caravan and the Honda Accord. The Tulalip woman in the Accord suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The 86-year-old driver was arrested and booked for DUI and vehicular assault.

Under Washington Statute RCW 46.61.522, “a person is guilty of vehicular assault if he or she operates or drives any vehicle…in a reckless manner and causes bodily harm or while under the influence of liquor or with disregard for the safety of others and causes harm.” Vehicular assault is a class B felony with serious criminal penalties. Read the rest »

Puyallup Car Dealership Employee Killed in Suspected DUI Crash

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on April 22, 2014

A male car dealership employee was crossing the street when an impaired driver in a 2002 Lexus ran a red light and fatally struck him. According to The Associated Press, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred in front of a car dealership in Puyallup. Officials say the 64-year-old male driver of the Lexus ran a red light, struck the victim in a crosswalk, jumped the curb, and struck a sign and several vehicles in the dealership’s parking lot. The fatally injured pedestrian was not immediately identified. The driver, who officials believe was under the influence of drugs, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide.

Impaired driving is a serious problem in Washington State. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 156 people were killed in alcohol- related car accidents in the United States in 2011. Furthermore, a study by the Center for Injury Epidemiology and Prevention at Columbia found that one of nine drivers involved in fatal crashes nationwide tested positive for marijuana. Read the rest »

Motorcyclist Killed by Drunk Driver in King County

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on April 16, 2014

A 40-year-old Tukwila man was killed when a driver who officials say may have been impaired crashed into his motorcycle. According to a news report in The Seattle Times, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred in the 400 block of Southwest 156th Street in Burien. Officials have not released information on how the motorcycle and car collided. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The car’s driver was treated for minor injuries before being booked for vehicular homicide. A second motorcyclist sustained minor injuries trying to avoid the collision.

Drunk driving continues to be a serious problem in Washington State. In fact, Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that Washington ranks 25th in the nation for the highest number of drunk driving fatalities. Furthermore, there were 156 traffic deaths involving alcohol in Washington in 2011. Read the rest »

Taxi Passenger Killed in Head-On Collision Involving Drunk Driver

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on March 11, 2014

A 34-year-old Tacoma woman has been killed in a Washington car accident, which officials believe involved an impaired driver. According to a KOMO news report, the fatal drunk driving accident collision occurred on Highway 167 south of 44th Street East in Tacoma. Officials say the 48-year-old male driver of a Dodge pickup was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when his vehicle crashed head-on with the taxi.

The woman in the back of the taxi was killed, her 36-year-old boyfriend was treated at a nearby hospital, and the 52-year-old taxi driver sustained severe injuries that required multiple surgeries. The driver of the pickup sustained only minor injuries that did not require hospitalization. He was arrested and booked. Read the rest »

Meth Use Suspected in Fatal Bellevue Crash

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on September 17, 2013

A 22-year-old man was killed in a Washington car crash involving a driver who may have been under the influence of methamphetamine. According to a news report in The Seattle Times, the fatal DUI crash occurred on Interstate 405 in Bellevue. Officials say the 27-year-old driver of an Audi RS4 was traveling at about 100 mph when he crashed into the victim’s BMW and a Honda Ridgeline. The BMW struck a 2000 Saturn and burst into flames, trapping the driver inside. The 22-year-old driver of the BMW was killed and two others suffered non-life-threatening injuries. According to the report, the driver of the Audi will potentially face vehicular homicide charges.

It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Washington. When a drunk or impaired driver causes a fatal crash, he or she may face vehicular homicide charges. According to Washington Statute 46.61.520, “When the death of any person ensues within three years as a proximate result of injury proximately caused by the driving of any vehicle by any person, the driver is guilty of vehicular homicide if the driver was operating a motor vehicle … while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug.” Read the rest »

Family Seeks Compensation Following Tragic Wedgwood Accident

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on August 19, 2013

The family of an elderly couple and a mother has filed a $45 million claim against the city of Seattle after a driver with a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit drove his pickup into a family as they crossed the street. The elderly couple died and the mother and her newborn were injured in the accident.

According to a report in The Seattle Times, the driver at the time was under supervision of Seattle Municipal Court because of a previous drunk driving arrest. The plaintiffs have filed claims totaling $45 million against the city for failing to prevent the crash. Read the rest »