SNOHOMISH — A suspected drunken driver was arrested after a crash sent a car, loaded with four young kids, rolling on U.S. 2, according to state troopers.
A white Mercedes Benz — occupied by a man, a woman and four children younger than 8 — was headed west Sunday night, when a silver Hyundai Santa Fe rammed it three times, the Washington State Patrol reported. The Mercedes hit a guard rail and rolled into the eastbound lane around 8:10 p.m., near the Pilchuck River.
The Mercedes had damage to its roof and both sides. Two children, ages 1 and 5, suffered seat belt rash, trooper Heather Axtman said. The Mercedes driver, 39, had wrist and shoulder injuries, while a passenger, 29, was in pain from whiplash. The driver told troopers the Hyundai tried to run his car off the road.
Witnesses followed the suspect until they lost sight of the vehicle in the Lake Stevens area, according to police reports filed in court. Troopers tracked down the SUV parked in the driveway of a home on 69th Drive NE in Marysville. It had a broken window and damage to its side.
A Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy notified troopers that earlier in the day the suspect had been in a crash involving his father-in-law near Gold Bar, according to court papers. A man at the house called the suspect, who walked up to the home moments later. He was arrested.
The suspect reportedly told a trooper it was the other way around: The Mercedes driver tried to run him off the road, and when they crashed, he fled because he was scared. Court papers say as he spoke he swayed and smelled like alcohol. He admitted to drinking a “couple beers” before the crash, according to the state patrol.
The man, 31, was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence and hit-and-run. A warrant was granted for a blood test.
Troopers were investigating the crash as a potential vehicular assault.
Caleb Hutton: 425-339-3454; chutton@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snocaleb.
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