Driver wipes out 5 cars at Everett repair shop

EVERETT — At 22, Martin Consul watches his dad toil beneath the hoods of various cars and pickup trucks at the mom-and-pop auto shop on Evergreen Way.

Joe Consul works long hours, typically six, sometimes seven days a week. He grew up in the Philippines, where he became a mechanic. In Everett, he started a decade ago with one lift and a yellow toolbox, gradually building up a base of loyal customers.

His hands and coveralls are smudged with streaks of black. Clarita, Joe’s wife, handles the books for the family business, Maynila Auto Services.

“It has been 10 years,” Joe said. “I think it is working.”

His hope is to turn the garage over to his son some day.

Martin absorbs his father’s knowledge, both inside and outside of the garage.

One lesson he learned long ago was to own up to his mistakes.

He just wishes that whoever crashed a black pickup into their parking lot in the 6900 block of Evergreen Way would do the same.

It is hard for him to comprehend someone causing so much damage and driving off.

Neighbors living in a nearby apartment complex reported hearing the screech and sound of crumpling metal around 3 a.m. Sept. 27, a Sunday.

Days later black skid marks could still be seen on the roadway leading over the high curb and through the low bushes into the parking lot. Five vehicles were damaged. Two — a green Silverado pickup truck and silver Mercedes Benz — are considered total losses.

The Silverado belonged to a customer. Joe said he agreed to buy it after the insurance company said it wasn’t liable for the damage because it didn’t cover hit-and-runs by strangers in a parking lot.

Joe recently had bought the 1998 Mercedes Benz. All it needed was a new side mirror before it would be ready for the road. It hadn’t yet been registered. It, too, wasn’t covered by insurance.

“It made my blood boil,” Martin said, describing his first impressions of the scene. “Our goal is to see that justice is served.”

Martin thought that justice would be swift. A license plate was left at the scene. It apparently fell off the black pickup. Based on the friction marks on the top of the hedges, it appears the driver quickly accelerated in reverse and made a hasty retreat.

The Consuls handed the license plate to Everett police, who took a report.

It turns out the pickup is part of a fleet of vehicles owned by Asc Hauling in Bellevue.

It is one thing to know who owns the truck but another to know who was driving it at the time of the crash. And for it to matter, you have to be able to prove it in court, Everett police officer Aaron Snell said.

“We are still working to get additional evidence,” Snell said. “We are trying to get the evidence to move forward with a criminal case.”

The Consuls don’t know if they ever will be compensated for their loss.

“I don’t want people to feel sorry for us,” Martin said. “I do want them to be aware of hit-and-run law and what to do and to read the fine print” of insurance policies.

It just doesn’t seem fair to him that his dad could be left to clean up the mess.

Mainly, he said, he wants the driver to take responsibility.

“We all make mistakes,” he said. “We can’t always be right. The way I was raised, it was live up to it and learn from it.”

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@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

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

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.