WSP: Driver using cell phone hit pedestrian on I-5

runner1 said on March 29, 2010 at 6:36 PM

My son and husband witnessed this accident and phoned 911. The man filling the gas tank was completely off the road with room to spare. Had the Auburn man been paying attention to his driving this would not have happened. The Bellevue Man has gone through an eight hour surgery and another 4 hour surgery today. My son spoke with the State Patrol again today who kindly gave us an update since the news isn't giving us much information. Prayers for Patrick and his family. We couldn't see him at the hospital today, but hope we can in the near future. God Bless.

canadianson said on March 29, 2010 at 4:15 PM

Alcohol related Neglegent Homicide.

titoflip87 said on March 29, 2010 at 1:42 PM

I was watching the news last night when they were talking about this. Just an FYI ( not saying that this makes it any better for what he did ), When they tested the man's BAC, it read a .06. My opinion, talking on the phone is almost as bad as drinking and driving. Although his level of intoxication was not that high, when combined with talking on the phone (if he was) brings his level of concentration on the road way down, then putting him in the state of mind of someone with a BAC above the legal limit, possibly. And I don't think he should be charged with murder. Yes, he made a very poor choice to drink and drive and talk on the phone, but he didn't choose or intend to hit the man. Not like he was driving down the road, and was like, "oh look, a pedestrian! i'm going to hit him!" Vehicular homicide, if, unfortunately, the man does not survive, is definitely a fit for this. Hope the man in the hospital will be ok.

fed_up said on March 29, 2010 at 1:20 PM

I love how they say that he was on his phone in the title and THEN say he was drinking. BAD MEDIA!!

kennovak67184564 said on March 29, 2010 at 1:03 PM

krazkat, you need to go back to school and do a little Reading Comprehension 101. The officers said he was drinking and think he may have been on the phone at the time on the accident.

kennovak67184564 said on March 29, 2010 at 11:52 AM

$100 says this won't be the last time somebody is hurt by a driver that's playing around with a cell phone.

detour said on March 29, 2010 at 11:07 AM

There is never an excuse for drinking and driving. It is always a choice. When someone, not intoxicated gets killed by a drunk driver, the charge should be murder.

krazkat said on March 29, 2010 at 11:02 AM

auburngirl It doesn't say he was driving drunk; it says they believe he was on his cell phone when the accident happened. Thank goodness it will soon be a law if they catch you the a cell phone up to your ear while driving, not to mention texting. How stupid can people be. I have had people behind me on 167 all the way from Renton to Puyallup on their stupid phones, makes you very nervous as to whether they are going to be able to stop in time if there is an emergency.

1beachperson said on March 29, 2010 at 9:42 AM

liquidcopper - $100 says you're an inbred idiot! Any takers - come on, I could get rich and retire if everyone were just to play along!

graham said on March 29, 2010 at 8:39 AM

Nail the guy to the cross

dede1978 said on March 29, 2010 at 7:13 AM

liquidcopper, you're one of the reason why racism is still a problem. Get over yourself. And I agree with the comments regarding focusing on the cell phone usage and not the drinking. Both appear to be a factor in this accident. I hope the guy makes a full recovery.

collegeguy said on March 29, 2010 at 6:56 AM

liquidcopper, $100 dollars says you are white bred trailer trash.

ammie17 said on March 29, 2010 at 5:39 AM

Can anyone else see yellow?

truthdector said on March 29, 2010 at 5:13 AM

Drinking and text messaging...

noskills said on March 29, 2010 at 4:14 AM

It doesn't say that he was booked on DUI charges so he may not of been over the legal limit. With that said any amount of alcohol can slow your reaction time as can talking on a cell phone.

javajoe said on March 29, 2010 at 2:34 AM

anonymoususer, I agree with you. These guys don't let the facts get in the way of a good headline.

clear2copy said on March 29, 2010 at 12:52 AM

no, auburn.. murder requires intent. while this scumbag is certainly an idiot in many, many respects..it'd be hard to show he intended to kill the guy. ..I'm not saying they should go easier on him.. they should punch his license for life and put him away for a long time AND pay all costs involved..

jackwong said on March 29, 2010 at 12:36 AM

@liquidcopper: LOL... you might be right... perfect profile... I think the minivan gave it away.

iamsuuusan said on March 28, 2010 at 11:52 PM

He was probably calling his AA sponsor.

anonymoususer said on March 28, 2010 at 11:06 PM

he WAS drinking and MAY HAVE BEEN on his cell phone - yet the headline says cell phone and not drunk driving??? Can see KING is defending the new cell phone law (which was not needed because there already is a distracted driving law)

voiceofreason said on March 28, 2010 at 10:08 PM

I am sure that cell phone call was SO important too, jeez people! Just because you have a cell phone does NOT make you important like Gordon Gekko! The calls can wait, watch the driving.

auburngirl said on March 28, 2010 at 10:03 PM

Vehicular assault ? is that really a charge ?? If he was driving drunk shouldn't it be attempted murder !

digitalsubverson said on March 28, 2010 at 10:03 PM

Part of the punishment should be to revoke the person's privilege to own a cell phone for a year (or life). Maybe then people would think twice about engaging in dangerous behavior.

sharkbeight said on March 28, 2010 at 9:17 PM

Really? The cell phone is the headline and not the fact that he was driving intoxicated?

brucelee said on March 28, 2010 at 8:33 PM

Well, whose fault is that?

mango said on March 28, 2010 at 7:46 PM

Hmm a name like liquidcopper, a computer and free to make stupid comments...100 bucks says he's an idiot

tmkochel said on March 28, 2010 at 7:03 PM

Hey liquidcopper; do you really play the race card here? Isn't the tragedy of this enough? Who cares if the driver was white, black, yellow or blue. ALL RACES drink and drive.

runner1 said on March 28, 2010 at 6:57 PM

My son and husband witnessed this accident. They were the individuals to phone 911. Liquid-copper...what a racist remark. No, the driver that hit the individual is not Mexican. Take a look in the mirror and maybe go say some prayers for the man hit.

aziza said on March 28, 2010 at 6:50 PM

riverman? I totally agree!

justhonest said on March 28, 2010 at 6:35 PM

WHY all I can say.

riverman said on March 28, 2010 at 6:02 PM

should be charged with attempted murder!!! drinking and cell-ing while driving are choices, not accidents!!!

liquidcopper said on March 28, 2010 at 5:44 PM

Hmm...24-year-old male, likely intoxicated, driving a minivan. $100 says it's a Mexican.

skippypotpiebaby said on March 28, 2010 at 5:41 PM

Dam cell and beer

brewster said on March 28, 2010 at 5:24 PM

Idiot!

yogibear said on March 28, 2010 at 5:22 PM

Sounds like his drinking was a big part of the accident