Associated Press
BELLINGHAM — A Bellingham man has been convicted of two felony charges in a high-speed chase that killed a Whatcom County sheriff’s deputy last September.
A Whatcom County jury found Adrian Sassen Van-Elsloo guilty Friday of hit-and-run and eluding a police officer. Deliberations lasted most of Thursday afternoon and two hours Friday.
Van-Elsloo, 19 at the time of the crash, is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 25. The hit-and-run conviction carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine, while the maximum for eluding an officer is five years and a $10,000 fine.
Matt Herzog, 27, a five-year veteran with the sheriff’s office, died Sept. 12 of massive head injuries. He was a passenger in a patrol car driven by deputy trainee James Triplett.
The two were chasing Van-Elsloo when Triplett lost control and the cruiser struck a tree.
"This has really been a tragic case for everyone involved," Whatcom County prosecutor Dave McEachran said.
A report from an accident review board is expected soon, Undersheriff Deane Sandell said. It could lead to "minor changes in policy," but he did not provide further details.
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