Everett driver charged in death of passenger; drugs suspected

Published 1:30 am Thursday, November 2, 2017

EVERETT — Prosecutors have charged an Everett man with vehicular homicide for a crash that killed a Lake Stevens man.

Keith Ryle is accused of being under the influence of drugs Oct. 26 when his Ford Mustang was involved in a collision at the intersection of 20th Street SE and 91st Avenue SE.

Greggory Solomon, 53, died at the scene. He was riding in the front seat of Ryle’s Mustang, according court papers. The car collided with a pickup truck as the Mustang made a left turn onto 91st Avenue SE.

A Washington State Patrol trooper, who is trained as a drug recognition expert, evaluated Ryle, 50, at the hospital. Police noted that Ryle was showing signs of impairment, including slurred speech, droopy eyes and fidgeting. Ryle was arrested at the hospital, and a warrant was obtained to seize some of his blood for testing. The results are pending.

Ryle was booked into the Snohomish County Jail, where staff allegedly found him in possession of methamphetamine and heroin. The drugs had been secreted inside a large felt tip marker, according to a police report.

Prosecutors have until Nov. 17 to refile the charge into Superior Court.