EVERETT — A Navy sailor who drove into and killed a pedestrian was sentenced Tuesday for fleeing the scene of the crash.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Anna Alexander gave Ashton Dedmon 90 days in jail, with credit for 22 days he already served.
In November, Dedmon pleaded guilty to hit-and-run in a fatality. As part of his plea agreement, prosecutors recommended a first-time offender waiver — which can apply to defendants who have never been convicted of a felony. First-time offenders can qualify for a sentence well below the standard range. Under state sentencing guidelines, Dedmon would’ve faced 2½ to 3½ years in prison.
Prosecutors recommended three months in jail with credit for time served, while the defense asked for a sentence of 22 days and six months of community supervision.
Dedmon was a petty officer second class assigned to the USS Kidd in Everett.
In March 2023, just before 10:30 p.m., a witness called 911 to report a car struck a man in the 4900 block on Evergreen Way, according to the charges. The witness told dispatchers a blue Mustang hit the man, came to a stop, then continued driving south, leaving the man lying in the middle of the road.
Officers found the pedestrian face up in the northbound lane of Evergreen Way, the charges say. Paramedics examined him and pronounced him dead at the scene.
The deceased was later identified as Joshua Kollman, of Everett. He was 53.
Security footage from a nearby QFC gas station showed Kollman crossing the southbound lanes of Evergreen Way before the Mustang hit him, according to the charges.
A nearby officer saw the suspected vehicle speeding southbound on Evergreen Way, according to court documents. After stopping the Mustang, the officer noticed the entire back windshield was shattered. The car also had a crack in the front windshield and was missing a wiper blade. The front of the car was damaged, as well, including a dislodged bumper and dents on the passenger side, deputy prosecutor Tobin Darrow wrote in court papers.
A portable breath test showed his blood alcohol level at 0.039, below the legal limit, according to court documents.
Earlier that night, Dedmon had driven to his friend’s house for a birthday dinner, his attorney, Laura Martin, wrote in court documents. His girlfriend and dog were also in the car. Dedmon reported he was distracted by the dog, who was trying to get into the driver’s seat. Kollman “darted” out into the middle of the street, he reported. Dedmon tried to swerve to avoid hitting him.
Dedmon recalled his heart “racing” and “his brain shutting down” after the crash, according to court documents. He claimed to have a panic attack and drove away because he didn’t know what to do.
“He made a very bad decision, and that decision was not immediately stopping to help,” Martin said. “The result would not have been different, this was a bad car accident. But sending Mr. Dedmon to jail does not make this community safer.”
In court Tuesday, Kollman’s daughter, Alicia, said her life has fallen apart since losing her dad.
“I carry the heaviest burden of all, I’m left without my father,” she said. “May god have mercy on your soul because none of us feel sorry for your lame excuses.”
Friends, family and sailors submitted over 30 letters supporting Dedmon.
Dedmon apologized in court Tuesday, asking for forgiveness.
“I wish it went differently, I wish I could take that whole day back and stayed in the house and been with my dog,” Dedmon said. “I wish I wasn’t putting someone else’s family through heartache. That day doesn’t show who I really am.”
Jonathan Tall: 425-339-3486; jonathan.tall@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @snocojon.
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