Man faces loss of leg after brutal assault in Everett

Jim Dulaney and his wife, Sheila Dulaney

Jim Dulaney and his wife, Sheila Dulaney

EVERETT — He has the calloused hands and muscular forearms of someone who works hard for his living.

Around town, he’s known as Jim the Fence Guy, having built a bunch of them over the years.

Four decades after high school, Jim Dulaney reunites each year with childhood chums to surf in Southern California.

At 58, he was chasing a soccer ball with little kids at a graduation party a couple of weeks back.

Dulaney won’t be doing those things any time soon.

The hope is he’ll someday get that chance again.

Doctors are trying to save his left foot and lower leg after an assault earlier this week off Evergreen Way in Everett. Dulaney on Thursday was scheduled to undergo his third surgery in five days.

“He is the person who tries to do the right thing for other people,” said Brandon Pasowicz, Dulaney’s godson.

In fact, he was doing a favor when he was hurt shortly after 6 a.m. Sunday. Dulaney was checking on a friend’s building when he spotted a man dumping trash in a parking lot and went to investigate.

The suspect reportedly chased after Dulaney with a metal pipe, police said.

The man then returned to his pickup and allegedly ran over Dulaney’s lower leg and smashed into another car. Dulaney reportedly was dragged about 30 feet before the suspect drove away in a Chevy Avalanche.

Mukilteo police found a burning pickup matching the description of the Avalanche later that day.

Back in Everett, detectives found personal paperwork for a possible suspect in the items left behind, police reported Thursday.

A suspect was arrested for investigation of stealing a car and vehicle prowl that same day in an unrelated incident. The Bothell man, 42, posted bail on those allegations. Everett police arrested him on Thursday for investigation of assault and hit and run injury after developing probable cause.

Dulaney suffered a compound fracture as well as broken ribs. He was taken to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. On Sunday, he faced hours of surgery.

An orthopedic surgeon installed a titanium rod in his leg to put the bone back together. He then faced hours of vascular surgery. “The back of his leg across the calf muscle was basically cut in half,” family and friends posted on social media.

Pasowicz said Dulaney is someone who can make people laugh with gentle humor.

He remembers strangers approaching his godfather on a beach in Hawaii to get their picture taken with him just because of his fun-loving ways.

Family and friends describe Dulaney as an honest, hard-working man with a long road to recovery.

A gofundme account has been set up to help with expenses. As of Thursday, 90 contributions, many from strangers, had been made. It can be found at www.gofundme.com/Jimthefenceguy.

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

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
On second go, Mukilteo City Council votes against sales tax hike

A veto from Mayor Joe Marine forced the council to bring the potential 0.1% sales tax increase back for another vote Monday.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Two visitors comb the beach at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Tulalip, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Nate Nehring and WSU Beach Watchers to host beach cleanup at Kayak Point

Children and families are especially encouraged to attend the event at Kayak Point Regional County Park.

One person dead in single-vehicle fatal crash near Stanwood

A 33-year-old male was found dead at the scene Monday evening with his vehicle partially wrapped around a tree.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish Regional firefighters respond to nearly 90 calls on the Fourth

While crews stayed busy on Independence Day, it was far more peaceful than other years.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo approves 84-acre annexation east of Speedway

The annexation of unincorporated land is expected to bring new revenue to the city as it faces budget challenges.

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.