Bellingham Man Charged with Vehicular Assault and Felony DUI After High-Speed Crash
As reported by the BellinghamHerald.com, a Bellingham man lost control of his vehicle and crashed on the evening of Tuesday, May 4 in Whatcom County. The accident took place on Marine Drive near the intersection of Ferndale Road, just west of the Nooksack River. The passenger in his vehicle was hospitalized for resulting injuries. Twenty-nine-year-old Toby William Solomon was booked into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of vehicular assault, felony DUI, driving with a suspended license and possession of a dangerous weapon.
According to police reports, Toby was driving at high-speeds when he made an illegal pass, lost control of his vehicle and left the roadway before crashing into a ditch and rolling to a stop on the west side of Ferndale Road.
At Tario & Associates, we are often hired to help people who were injured in crashes caused by illegal and negligent driving behavior. If you or a loved one is suffering because of the negligent actions of another driver, you deserve a settlement that will compensate you for your damages. Contact a local car accident attorney for a free consultation.
Bellingham man charged in Whatcom County accident
What is vehicular assault?
In many states, vehicular assault is defined as driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and causing serious bodily injury to another person. In Washington State, RCW 46.61.522 states:
(1) A person is guilty of vehicular assault if he or she operates or drives any vehicle:
(a) In a reckless manner and causes substantial bodily harm to another; or
(b) While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, as defined by RCW 46.61.502, and causes substantial bodily harm to another; or
(c) With disregard for the safety of others and causes substantial bodily harm to another.
(2) Vehicular assault is a class B felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
(3) As used in this section, “substantial bodily harm” has the same meaning as in RCW 9A.04.110.
What is a felony DUI?
In Washington State’s RCW 46.61.502
(1) A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, marijuana, or any drug if the person drives a vehicle within this state
(a) And the person has, within two hours after driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of the person’s breath or blood made under RCW46.61.506.
In addition, a Washington state DUI will be charged as a felony if:
(1) A driver has four or more prior DUI related offenses within 10 years
(2) A driver has a previous conviction for vehicular assault or vehicular homicide while driving under the influence
(3) A driver has a previous felony DUI conviction
The other charges for driving with a suspended license and possession of a dangerous weapon are also very serious.
Seek the help of a car accident attorney
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
