Everett police believe racing played role in fatal accident

Published 10:52 pm Monday, August 24, 2009

EVERETT — Police believe street racing may have led to a fatal crash on Evergreen Way that killed a young man on Friday evening.

Nicholas Gorrell, 25, of Everett, was killed after his southbound Toyota collided with a northbound Acura Integra in the 9000 block of Evergreen Way about 6:20 p.m.

Detectives believe the driver of the Integra was racing with another driver prior to the crash, Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz said.

The death is being investigated as a vehicular homicide.

Gorrell’s Toyota was T-boned as he turned left into a driveway. He was dead at the scene.

He was a mechanic by trade, said friend Erica Pierce, 26, of Everett.

“He loved cars,” she said. “He thought there is a time and place for racing, and the street was not where it was.”

A South Dakota native, Gorrell moved here six years ago, Pierce said. He and his fiancee had just recently started to get back on their feet after being homeless and struggling with addiction to methamphetamine. The two were planning to get married in September.

Witnesses told police a car painted white or primer gray, similar to a Dodge Neon, was seen racing with the Integra on northbound Evergreen Way before the crash. Detectives want to talk to the driver of that car. They asked the public on Monday to help identify that driver. They also hope friends will encourage that person to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Everett police tip line at 425-257-8450.

The driver of the Integra, a Lynnwood man in his 20s, has been cooperating with police, Goetz said.

When the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Snohomish County prosecutor’s office for review. No arrests were made as of Monday afternoon.

Street racing is illegal. It’s also against the law in Everett to attend a street race or promote it in any way, Goetz said.

“Street racing is extremely dangerous. It can cost you your life,” he said.

Police in Everett are familiar with street racing, but the city’s roads offer limited opportunities, Goetz said. Evergreen Way is too crowded.

Everett detectives earlier this year investigated whether street racing may have led to the crash on Jan. 31 that claimed the life of Chianne Lynn Nguyen Enick, 15. They later concluded that street racing wasn’t the cause, Goetz said, but he didn’t immediately know more.

The Everett girl was on her way home from a birthday party when the Honda Civic carrying her and her boyfriend hit a median barrier in the 800 block of E. Marine View Drive.

Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.