EVERETT — A judge on Monday set bail at $100,000 for a Sultan man who acknowledged he was the driver in a fatal one-car crash on U.S. 2 last week.
Anthony Box, 18, was arrested for investigation of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault after a Nov. 12 crash east of Monroe that killed a 17-year-old Sultan girl.
His lawyer on Monday argued that Washington State Patrol troopers so far have failed to provide sufficient evidence to hold his client.
Everett District Court Judge Tam Bui sided with prosecutors, finding that a report prepared by the patrol provided grounds to keep the defendant in jail.
Detectives are investigating whether Box was under the influence of drugs, the report says. Troopers also suspect that he was speeding before the car veered off the highway and flipped. Troopers found “at least three cans of Dust Off, which is known to be used as an inhalant” inside the crumpled car.
Blood tests were taken, but there were no results available Monday.
Under state law, a driver can be found guilty of vehicular homicide in multiple ways. Those can include driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving in a reckless manner or driving with disregard for the safety of others.
After the crash, which was reported around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Box told troopers he couldn’t tell them what had happened, only that he remembered waking up in the ditch, the patrol’s report said.
Troopers said Box lost control of the Volkswagen Jetta, which launched over a highway guardrail and rolled multiple times, according to court records.
Madison Whiddon, 17, died at the scene of head injuries, according to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner. Three other teens were riding in the car. The girls, ages 14 to 17, are expected to survive.
Box was taken to Evergreen Medical Center for treatment before he was booked into jail.
Defense attorney Jon Scott argued for his client’s release, saying Box is not a flight risk.
“He looks forward to clearing his name in this matter,” the defense attorney told the judge.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
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