Washington Injury Attorney Blog

KOMO News has updated this story. They are reporting that the bicyclist who was killed was a 7-year-old girl.

They said the jogger who was killed was 26-years-old and from Abbotsford, British Columbia.

According to the report on KOMO, the driver of the car was joy riding with another 15-year-old boy. Both the driver and his passenger were not wearing seat belts. The driver of the car was treated for injuries and released to the custody of his parents.

See KOMO News.com for the full report:
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/51807292.html

Paul was my co-worker and a friend. i am very sadden that this has happen and hope the investigation goes on to find out why this 15 year old was driving a way to fast car for most people, let alone a 15 year old. i would like to send out my prayers to paul's family and let the world know paul was a great guy who loved the world and everyting in it. we will never forget your smile Paul RIP.

the passenger was actually 17. and the passenger was wearing a seat belt!

Several people have left comments on this posting disagreeing with some of the facts as laid out in the blog.

The latest news article that we see see is on King5.com, http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_072709WAB-lopez-island-fatal-KC.81bb0a84.html?rss?npc#slcgm_comments_anchor, and it says that the passenger in the car was 17 years old which is different than initial reports which said the passenger was 15 years of age. King 5's report says that neither teenager in the vehicle was wearing a seat belt. The facts seem to be in line with the report because the 17-year-old passenger was ejected from the side of the car. It is rare for a passenger to be ejected if he or she was wearing a seat belt.

Regardless of whether the passenger was 17 or 15, the teenager was breaking the law when he chose to drive. In Washington State, teenagers cannot get a driver's license until they are 16 years of age. To drive in the car with supervision, the person riding with the a person with a driving permit must have been licensed for at least 5 years. The law stating conditions for underage drivers is RCW 46.20.075 "Intermediate License." You can read it here:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.20.075

My Niece is the one injured by this 15 year old. She spent 3 hours in surgery to reattach her left ring finger and had pins put in her fractured wrist. They can't say for sure that her finger will be okay, time will tell. My Sister and Brother in law and 5 year old niece saw Mr. Jaholkowsky hit by this boy. They are real people behind the headlines, dealing with a horrible trauma. Our Family only asks why isn't this boy in custody (I dont mean his parents custody) BUT custody!! He killed a man, and maimed a 7 year old child. He made a choice, a bad choice, and he needs to be held responsible for it.

CORRECTIONS TO MISTAKES IN YOUR ARTICLE:
THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND 3:30 PM, NOT 5:30 PM
THEY WERE DRIVING A '72 NOVA WHICH DID NOT ISSUE SHOULDER OR LAP BELTS.
THE 7 YEAR OLD GIRL DID NOT DIE.
THE PASSENGER WAS 17 NOT 15.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:

Was the teenage driver driving with a parent? NO HE WAS NOT, HE WAS WITH A 17 YEAR OLD PASSENGER... THE ARTICLES MAKE THAT CLEAR!
Did he have a learner's permit? YES, HE DOES HAVE A LEARNERS PERMIT AND DID THEN.
What was his speed at the time of the accident? TIME OF IMPACT WAS 70 MPH.
What did the teen's vehicle crash into so that he and his passenger sustained injuries? THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES... HE WAS AIRLIFTED JUST TO MAKE SURE HE WAS OKAY. THE CAR HIT THE JOGGER/ROCKS AND THEN DROVE OFF A BANKMENT.

JO JO,
THE DRIVER DID NOT GO INTO POLICE CUSTODY AFTER HE WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. ONCE IN POLICE CUSTODY, THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY HAS 30 DAYS TO INVESTIGATE THE ACCIDENT AND CHARGE THE TEENAGER. IF HE IS NOT IN CUSTODY RIGHT AWAY, THEY HAVE 90 DAYS TO PROSECUTE INSTEAD, WHICH IS BETTER ON THE PA'S BEHALF... PLUS, HE WAS NOT A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY.