Everett driver charged in death of pedestrian

Published 1:30 am Thursday, July 7, 2022

EVERETT — A flash of light. Crashing sounds.

That’s what some Glenwood Avenue residents reportedly heard around midnight June 11.

Witnesses reported a Mazda drove off the road and into some thick ivy bushes off the west side of the road. The impact caused extensive front-end damage on the car. The hood was peeled back and lying flat against the windshield.

A passing motorist and one of the residents helped Daniel Rodrigues, 31, out of the driver’s seat. Then they found Daniel Brakke’s body south of the Mazda, according to vehicular homicide charges filed against Rodrigues last week in Snohomish County Superior Court. Brakke was unresponsive.

Brakke, of Everett, died of blunt-force injuries, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed. He was 30.

On the sidewalk, witnesses found a deceased dog wearing a reflective harness, according to court documents.

Witnesses noted Rodrigues, of Everett, appeared “out of it,” deputy prosecutor Tobin Darrow wrote in charging papers.

When Everett police arrived, they found Rodrigues on his knees near the Mazda. He reportedly told an officer he was a drunk “idiot” and said the crash was his fault. He repeatedly asked if anyone was hurt.

Medics took him to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. When officers explained he was being arrested for investigation of vehicular homicide, he said he deserved to go to jail, according to court papers.

“I am the reason someone is dead,” he reportedly said.

The suspect told police alcohol consumption affected his driving. He said he bought alcohol at a local market, drove home and drank it. Then he went to 7-Eleven, bought more and drank that, too, before driving on Glenwood Avenue that night. He noted he couldn’t remember much about the crash.

A collision investigator determined Rodrigues was driving north on Glenwood. The suspect didn’t take into account a slight curve in the road, then crossed the road and struck the curb. He kept driving north on the southbound shoulder, hit a power pole, then struck Brakke and the dog.

The Mazda continued north across driveways and lawns before crashing into a tree, the investigator found.

Rodrigues was arraigned Tuesday. Superior Court Judge Cindy Larsen maintained the $500,000 bail set when the suspect was arrested last month.

On Wednesday, Rodrigues remained in the Snohomish County Jail. He has no felony history, according to court records.

Next to two power poles on Glenwood Avenue sits a makeshift memorial to Brakke. It includes photos, a University of Washington necklace, now-wilted flowers and a Father’s Day card.

The card reads: “Everyone should know a man like you.”

Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.