Wrong-way driver was under influence of alcohol

Published 1:30 am Friday, January 20, 2017

ARLINGTON — The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office has determined that a wrong-way driver involved in an October collision near Island Crossing was under the influence of alcohol.

The driver, 39, of Stanwood, was booked for investigation of DUI. He was released pending trial.

On Oct. 17, the Stanwood man reportedly crossed the center line and continued to drive into oncoming traffic. His vehicle struck a car near the intersection of Pioneer Highway and 218th Street NW.

Both drivers were taken to the hospital, sheriff’s spokeswoman Shari Ireton said.

Test results showed the Stanwood man had a blood-alcohol level of .26, sheriff’s Sgt. Andy Kahler said Wednesday. That is more than three times the legal limit of .08 to drive.

The test was administered more than four hours after the collision, Kahler said. At the time of the crash, the man’s license was suspended for failing to pay child support.