A hit and run adds to the stress and trauma of a car accident, especially when someone is seriously injured or killed in the collision such as a fatal hit and run crash. When the person who may be responsible for the crash flees the scene without exchanging information with the other driver or staying to talk to first responders, there is a legitimate fear that the driver may not be held responsible for the accident and injuries they caused.
As car accident lawyers, we have seen an increase in hit and run accidents since 2020. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), deaths in hit-and-run crashes jumped by 26 percent in 2020. If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a hit and run crash, contact a Bellingham car accident lawyer for help.
Fatal Hit and Run Crash in Bellingham Leads to Arrest
As reported by Whatcom-News.com, first responders were dispatched to the intersection of Meridian Street and Kellogg Road on Friday, January 6 about 9:45 p.m. after a forceful crash caused a passenger vehicle to burst into flames. Both vehicles were driving south on Meridian in the 4200 block when the collision occurred.
The investigation showed that the white Dodge Ram pickup truck crashed into the rear of the passenger car with such force that the passenger car erupted into flames immediately and was pushed for an entire block. By the time first responders arrived at the scene, the car was fully engulfed in flames with the driver trapped inside.
The fatal hit and run crash led to the arrest of the driver who had caused the accident and fled the scene. He has been charged with suspicion of:
- hit and run involving a death
- driving under the influence
- vehicular homicide while driving under the influence or in a reckless manner
Driving under the influence
Drunk driving accidents cause thousands of personal injuries and fatalities every year and driving while intoxicated is a leading risk factor for fatal accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are an average of 32 fatalities per day caused by alcohol-related crashes.
Hit-and-run
A hit and run accident occurs when a person who causes a collision flees the scene before exchanging contact / insurance information with the other driver or pedestrian or waiting to talk to first responders. Each person has their own reasons for fleeing the scene of an accident but it generally comes down to self-preservation over personal responsibility. In many cases, people flee because they are driving without a license, they are illegal immigrants, there is an active search warrant for their arrest, or they are intoxicated. Their hope is that by fleeing they can avoid legal consequences or deportation but the reality is that they usually end up in even more legal trouble.
Vehicular homicide
Vehicular homicide is a crime that involves a driver being responsible for the death of another person either through criminal negligence or murderous operation of a motor vehicle. In cases involving criminal negligence, the defendant may be charged with unintentional vehicular manslaughter.
Regardless of the theory under which vehicular homicide is charged, in Washington State it is considered a Class A felony punishable by up to life imprisonment and a $50,000 fine.
Seek the help of a car accident lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision 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!
