EVERETT — A Kirkland man who’s accused of killing a bicyclist in Everett in October had his driver’s license suspended in May for refusing to comply with state licensing requirements after the collision.
The Oct. 17 crash that took the life of Trent Graham, 30, remains under investigation by Everett police. A few weeks ago, detectives obtained a judge’s permission to collect the driver’s medical records for review.
They earlier had found evidence that the man, 56, had crashed under similar circumstances before in King County in 2010. In that crash, police reports said the man suffered from a sleeping disorder and was not supposed to be behind the wheel without taking medication.
On Oct. 17, his truck crossed all lanes of traffic on Evergreen Way and hit Graham without any visible signs of braking, according to court papers. Graham died at the scene. Witnesses said the man looked slumped over at the wheel before the crash.
The Herald is not naming the man because he has not been charged with a crime.
In court papers, detectives have suggested that the case may warrant a vehicular homicide charge under the theory that the man caused a death by driving recklessly or with disregard for others’ safety.
Investigators also have ruled out illegal drugs, alcohol, mechanical problems and cellphone use as possible causes of the crash.
They also allege that the man never reported his sleeping disorder to the state Department of Licensing.
A licensing department spokesman on Friday said he could not discuss individual driving records. He said that in general, the department can ask someone to re-test for their license or submit medical paperwork if officials receive information that the person’s driving skills have been affected by a medical condition. That information can come from doctors and police, among other sources. The state can suspend driver’s licenses if people don’t comply with those orders.
Police records say the man’s license was suspended in early May for refusing a driving examination.
In the meantime, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Tobin Darrow has reviewed the detectives’ reports and met with Graham’s family. Darrow asked detectives to obtain additional information before he makes a decision regarding criminal charges, he said last week.
Graham was a father and artist who was well-known in the cycling community. He was on his way home from work at Gregg’s Cycles in Alderwood at the time of crash.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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