Girl who fell out of truck died of skull fracture

ARLINGTON — The King County Medical Examiner on Monday identified a 12-year-old girl who died Friday after she fell out of the bed of a pickup truck as Melissa Olson of Arlington.

She died of a skull fracture, the medical examiner said.

She had been standing up in the bed of a pickup driven by a friend’s grandmother when the truck rounded a corner and she fell, Stillaguamish tribal police said. The woman’s granddaughter also was in the back of the pickup, but was uninjured.

"We were waiting for the results of Snohomish County traffic investigators’ analysis of the scene," Police Chief Felix Moran said. "It’s been referred to the tribal prosecutor."

The crash occurred about 5 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Stoluckquamish Lane and Che Che Yel Place.

The driver is under investigation for second-degree manslaughter under tribal law, Moran said. The maximum sentence she could face is six months in jail and a $500 fine, he said.

"This was an accident that was due to something that wasn’t real bright," he said.

The serious charge is being considered because the girl was under the care of an adult and was not wearing a wearing a seat belt, and the fact that she died, Moran said.

Olson is not a tribal member.

The case has been referred to the Northwest Intertribal Court System.

Mental evaluation ordered: An Arlington man who is charged with trying to hire a man to kill his former wife and her family will undergo a mental evaluation by staff of Western State Hospital near Tacoma, a judge has ordered.

Mitchell Lee Varnell, 40, is being held on $2.5 million bail for allegedly trying to hire a hit man in February. His attorney, James White of Edmonds, asked for the evaluation, said John Stansell, deputy prosecutor. Stansell said whenever either side says such an evaluation will help the court, state law requires it.

The evaluation will be done at the Snohomish County Jail, Stansell said.

Varnell’s trial date is set for June 21. Stansell said he doesn’t know if the evaluation will mean a postponement.

From Herald staff reports

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens schools bond leading early; Arlington voters reject latest levy attempt

A $314 million bond looks to pass while Arlington’s attempts to build a new Post Middle School again appear to take a step back.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Funding gap leaves Lynnwood without a crisis center provider

The idea for the Lynnwood crisis center began in 2021 after a 47-year-old died by suicide while in custody at Lynnwood Municipal Jail.

Three seriously injured after head-on collision on Highway 522

The crash between Monroe and Maltby happened around 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.