A driver who police say admitted to intentionally running into two pedestrians in Bothell last week is now charged and being held on $1 million bail.
Eli Aldinger, 22, is charged with two counts of first-degree assault for the April 20 incident that injured two women. Police say Aldinger drove straight toward a couple walking across a sidewalk on 101st Avenue NE. The suspect hit one person and continued driving. He then allegedly turned onto Main Street and hit another woman before turning onto State Route 527, attempting to hit several more people that were able to jump out of the way.
An initial police report indicates Aldinger told officers he did it on purpose. He reportedly stated he was not happy with his life and was trying to avoid having to go to work. The officer noted that Aldinger had a calm demeanor when he was pulled over.
One of the two victims says she feels anger, but also compassion for the driver.
"There is a really big part of me that feels compassion for him that he had this reaction to his life, but of course there is also some anger because he greatly affected my life and that other woman's life, too," said Amy Porterfield.
Porterfield has a fractured hip and lots of bruises.
"I got thrown up onto the hood and kind of projected off of the hood onto the street," said Porterfield.
