Everett man charged with vehicular assault in 2014 crash

EVERETT — An Everett man is facing a felony charge for a 2014 motorcycle crash that severed his left leg.

Prosecutors allege that the crash also severely injured a 26-year-old woman, who was riding on the back of the stolen motorcycle. Both her shin bones were shattered. She underwent a series of surgeries to save her legs from amputation, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Tobin Darrow wrote.

The bones were stabilized with plates, screws and rods, court papers said. Prosecutors have not been able to reach the woman and don’t have an update on her condition, Darrow wrote.

The deputy prosecutor recently charged Dylan Downey, 32, with vehicular assault.

Downey is accused of being under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the crash. The charge also alleges that Downey’s reckless driving caused substantial harm to the woman.

Court papers say that the motorcycle was stolen from outside an apartment building sometime in late June 2014. A few days later Downey reportedly drove the Yamaha motorcycle to the woman’s house. She asked for a ride, and they headed southbound on Hardeson Road in Everett. They passed a police car as they approached the intersection at 75th Street SW, court papers said.

The woman told police that Downey hit the gas. She estimated their speed reaching 70 mph. Another motorist told police the motorcycle was going about 90 mph.

Downey looked back, likely trying to determine if the police officer was following him.

He lost control of the motorcycle, and it veered off the road and struck a curb. Downey and his passenger were thrown from the bike as it tumbled through the air.

The front end of the motorcycle was torn from the frame, and the riders landed near a utility box. By the time Downey landed his left leg had been amputated, likely by a nearby sign pole.

The passenger’s tibiae were broken. She and Downey were taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where they both underwent surgery.

Downey’s blood allegedly tested positive for meth.

Detectives reconstructed the crash site. They estimated Downey’s speed at between 49 mph and 73 mph, Darrow wrote.

Downey has multiple felony convictions, dating back to 2000. He was sentenced to nearly five years in prison in 2009 for trying to outrun police and being in possession of a stolen vehicle.

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

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

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.