Driver Flees Scene of Head-On-Crash; Probable Cause for Hit-and-Run-With-Injury and Vehicular Assault
A head-on-crash turned into a hit-and-run accident when a driver fled the scene of an accident on foot at the 1700 block of Birch Bay-Lynden Road. When Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputies and North Whatcom Fire & Rescue personnel arrived on scene, they found a man trapped in his car with a shattered femur. The “jaws of life” were used to remove the trapped man from inside their vehicle. The man was then transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center by ambulance and flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment.
Driver flees scene of head-on-crash
As reported by Whatcom News on August 5, 2021, the at-fault driver fled the scene of the injury crash they caused on Tuesday, August 3rd around 10:45 p.m. Crews searched the area near the crash site with a K-9 unit but the driver could not be found. The driver has been identified by Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputies but not yet apprehended. The deputies believe there is probable cause to arrest them for hit-and-run with injury and vehicular assault.
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 hit-and-run accident?
A hit and run accident is an accident involving at least one vehicle where the at-fault driver leaves the scene of the accident before police arrive and without providing their insurance or contact information. A hit and run accident can happen after a car has crashed into a parked car, another moving vehicle, a pedestrian or cyclist.
Why do some drivers flee the scene of an accident?
The main reason that a driver would flee the scene of an accident is if they fear additional consequences such as a DUI arrest, deportation for immigration status, a reckless driving ticket, a warrant is out for their arrest, or they were driving without a license/on a suspended license/without car insurance.
Injury crash
An injury crash is a motor vehicle collision that causes injury to at least one person involved with the accident. Injuries range from soft tissue injuries such as whiplash to broken bones, lacerations, or even death.
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!
