Monroe man charged in fatal crash

EVERETT — Witnesses told traffic investigators that a Monroe man crossed four lanes of Highway 527 before slamming into an oncoming Buick LeSabre.

The March 17 crash killed the Buick’s driver, Gale Arnold, 63.

Prosecutors on Monday charged Dane Smith, 31, with vehicular homicide. They allege Smith was under the influence of drugs when he crashed his Honda into Arnold’s car.

Smith reportedly told Washington State Patrol troopers at the scene that he’d injected a gram of heroin seven hours earlier and smoked some marijuana a couple of hours before the crash.

A trooper reported that Smith didn’t smell of alcohol but noted that he showed signs of being high. The trooper said Smith’s impairment was “obvious,” Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Tobin Darrow wrote in court papers.

Smith pleaded not guilty Tuesday. He made a short video appearance in Snohomish County Superior Court, where a judge maintained bail at $250,000. Smith wore a bandage on his left hand. The accident report indicated that Smith broke a finger during the crash.

Arnold, who was trapped in the wreckage, died at the scene.

The impact of the crash peeled the exterior metal off the driver’s side of his car and detached the door pillar, Darrow wrote.

Witnesses told troopers that before the crash they saw a Honda drift into oncoming traffic near Thrasher’s Corner in Bothell. The driver pulled back into his lane and then veered onto the shoulder, almost hitting the curb. The driver than pulled hard to the left, crossing all lanes of traffic before colliding with the Buick.

The Honda spun around in the roadway and was struck by a car behind Arnold’s vehicle. The force of that collision sent the Honda into the air. The car flipped and landed on its roof.

Smith was found on his hands and knees inside the car. Witnesses spotted a syringe inside nearby. More drug paraphernalia often associated with heroin use also was discovered inside the car.

Smith has two felony drug convictions. He also has 20 misdemeanor convictions, including a 2007 reckless driving charge.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Boeing firefighters union members and supporters hold an informational picket at Airport Road and Kasch Park Road on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Biden weighs in on Boeing lockout of firefighters in Everett, elsewhere

On Thursday, the president expressed support for the firefighters, saying he was “concerned” Boeing had locked them out over the weekend.

Everett officer Curtis Bafus answers an elderly woman’s phone. (Screen shot from @dawid.outdoor's TikTok video)
Everett officer catches phone scammer in the act, goes viral on TikTok

Everett Police Chief John DeRousse said it was unclear when the video with 1.5 million views was taken, saying it could be “years old.”

Construction occurs at 16104 Cascadian Way in Bothell, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
What Snohomish County ZIP codes have seen biggest jumps in home value?

Mill Creek, for one. As interest rates remain high and supplies are low, buyers could have trouble in today’s housing market.

Everett mayor Cassie Franklin, left, former Everett City Council member Scott Murphy
Former Everett council member announces run for Everett mayor

Scott Murphy says the city is “worse off than we were six years ago” when Mayor Cassie Franklin took office. She’s up for re-election next year.

The Marysville School District office on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State: Marysville school plan ‘does not comply,’ must be fixed by Wednesday

In a letter, the state superintendent’s office outlined concerns with the work the district has done so far — and warned of more oversight.

Bothell
Bellingham driver sentenced for street-racing crash that killed Bothell man

Addison J. Parker, 28, died in the crash in September 2021. The driver got nearly six years in prison last month.

Everett
Charges dismissed for Everett man accused of ramming Yakima police gates

A judge last week deemed Jose Guadalupe Mendez incompetent to stand trial in the June 2023 incident.

Amazon workers wrap up pallets of orders for shipment at the new PAE2 Amazon Fulfillment Center on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Amazon to open new satellite internet manufacturing center in Everett

The 184,000-square-foot Amazon facility with 200 employees will support Project Kuiper, the company’s broadband internet network.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson speaks at the Snohomish & Island County Labor Council champions dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bob Ferguson gets two Bob Fergusons to exit governor’s race

Attorney General Ferguson vowed to see those who share his name prosecuted if they didn’t drop out.

The nose of the 500th 787 Dreamliner at the assembly plant in Everett on Wednesday morning on September 21, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Ex-Boeing engineer, sidelined after a 787 critique, defends troubled plane

Dueling narratives emerged as Boeing’s credibility is near an all-time low, leaving industry observers and the public at a loss as to the risk.

A gas station at the intersection of 41st Street and Rucker Avenue advertises diesel for more than $5 a gallon and unleaded for more than $4.70 a gallon on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
As gas prices near $5 in Everett, who has the best deal around?

For some, it’s good to drive an electric vehicle these days. For the rest of us, we’re scouting for the cheapest pumps — and looking at north Snohomish County.

Police respond to a wrong way crash Thursday night on Highway 525 in Lynnwood after a police chase. (Photo provided by Washington State Department of Transportation)
Charges: Man ‘snapped,’ kidnapped woman before fatal crash on Highway 525

Robert Rowland, 37, became violent when he learned his partner was going into treatment for substance abuse, according to new charges.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.