VANCOUVER, Wash. — A driver was attempting a skateboard-style maneuver in his car when he crashed in Washington state, killing his friend who was a passenger, prosecutors said.
A group of friends had seen a skateboarding movie before the early Saturday crash, and one of the five passengers asked Ryan J. McGuinness, 21, of Vancouver, to “slap the rail” — a skateboarding term for bouncing the wheels off the curb, The Columbian reported.
Prosecutors say McGuinness was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash that killed London D. Stoll, 18, of Vancouver.
McGuinness was driving north on Interstate 205, took an exit at freeway speed and lost control, police said. The vehicle landed on its top. The rest of those in the car had minor injuries or were not hurt, authorities said.
McGuinness was in court Monday on suspicion of vehicular homicide. The judge set an Aug. 29 arraignment and $30,000 bail.
A lawyer for McGuinness, Jon McMullen, said McGuinness and his friends were typical young people enjoying a night out.
“Unfortunately, in this case, a tragic accident did happen,” he said.
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