MARYSVILLE, Wash. - In an instant, a Snohomish neighborhood is changed forever.
Two couples who lived across the street from each other were killed when the car they were in collided with a suspected drunk driver on Highway 9 in Marysville Sunday night.
The Washington State Patrol says the suspect ran a stop sign and may have been speeding. After the accident, the driver admitted to drinking eight beers before getting behind the wheel. And, he allegedly had a blood alcohol level of 0.123, which is one and a half times the legal limit.
Among those killed were Melissa Agerup and her husband Brad Agerup, who was the head athletic trainer at Mariner High School in Everett.
Monday night, a large crowd of students and staff gathered for a candlelight vigil.
"Agerup was really an example of how you should live your life and the type of person you should be. Whether it's on the field, off the field, in the classroom. just in everyday life," said one student.
He was described as a teacher, mentor and a friend. Some even called him the face of Mariner athletics. He and his wife leave behind two daughters.
"A very compassionate person. Someone who truly, truly cared about the students. Not only as students but as people," said head football coach John Ondriezek.
Also killed were Tom and Hilda Woods, who leave behind three grown daughters and two grandchildren.
According to our newspaper partner the Seattle Times, the suspect may have been under Department of Corrections supervision. After the crash, he got out of the vehicle and ran, but later returned to the scene.
He wasn't the only one who was arrested for driving under the influence. An investigator with the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's office is also being investigated for DUI after troopers smelled alcohol on his breath when he showed up at the scene.
The 48-year-old is an eight year employee with the Medical Examiner's office. The State Patrol says the crime scene investigation was not compromised.
To add a comment, please register or login.