Published: Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Medical examiner investigator arrives at crash scene, arrested on suspicion of DUI
MARYSVILLE — A Snohomish County medical examiner's investigator summoned to the drunken-driving crash that killed four people on Sunday was arrested at the scene and cited for driving under the influence, officials said.
When the investigator arrived at the scene on Highway 9 northeast of Marysville, a Washington State Patrol trooper smelled alcohol on the man's breath and pulled him aside, trooper Keith Leary said.
The man, 48, of Seattle, had been driving a county-owned vehicle. He was arrested for investigation of drunken driving, cited and given a ride home, Leary said.
Sunday night's crash was the deadliest drunken-driving accident in Snohomish County in recent memory, officials said.
The crime scene investigation was not compromised by the investigator's arrest, Leary said.
“We have nothing but the utmost faith in the medical examiner's office,” Leary said. Still, “We have to treat everyone the same when it comes to drinking and driving.”
The investigator has worked for the county for eight years, said Carolyn Sanden, deputy director of the medical examiner's office.
“We really are very careful when we hire and we take pride in our people, so this is shocking and unacceptable,” Sanden said. “He's an excellent investigator. In terms of knowing his stuff, he's seasoned.”
The man has been placed on paid leave pending the outcome of the State Patrol investigation. The medical examiner's office is conducting an internal investigation as well.
The investigator was on duty when the deadly crash occurred, Sanden said. He called for backup because of the magnitude of the crash scene. Two other investigators took over after his arrest.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
When the investigator arrived at the scene on Highway 9 northeast of Marysville, a Washington State Patrol trooper smelled alcohol on the man's breath and pulled him aside, trooper Keith Leary said.
The man, 48, of Seattle, had been driving a county-owned vehicle. He was arrested for investigation of drunken driving, cited and given a ride home, Leary said.
Sunday night's crash was the deadliest drunken-driving accident in Snohomish County in recent memory, officials said.
The crime scene investigation was not compromised by the investigator's arrest, Leary said.
“We have nothing but the utmost faith in the medical examiner's office,” Leary said. Still, “We have to treat everyone the same when it comes to drinking and driving.”
The investigator has worked for the county for eight years, said Carolyn Sanden, deputy director of the medical examiner's office.
“We really are very careful when we hire and we take pride in our people, so this is shocking and unacceptable,” Sanden said. “He's an excellent investigator. In terms of knowing his stuff, he's seasoned.”
The man has been placed on paid leave pending the outcome of the State Patrol investigation. The medical examiner's office is conducting an internal investigation as well.
The investigator was on duty when the deadly crash occurred, Sanden said. He called for backup because of the magnitude of the crash scene. Two other investigators took over after his arrest.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
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