A quiet Saturday afternoon drive on Interstate 90 turned catastrophic when a vehicle traveling the wrong direction slammed head-on into a family SUV towing a boat. Two young women lost their lives. An older couple from Kent survived, but only because they were belted in. For families across Washington, the tragedy is a painful reminder of how quickly an impaired driver can shatter lives on our highways.
At Law Offices of Greene & Lloyd, we handle serious injury and wrongful death cases arising from crashes exactly like this one. This article walks through what appears to have happened, who may be legally responsible, and what surviving victims and grieving families in Washington should understand about their rights.
What Happened
According to reports from the Washington State Patrol, a two-vehicle head-on collision occurred on Interstate 90 approximately seven miles west of George, Washington, at around 2:35 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon. Investigators say a 2020 Dodge Charger was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes near milepost 143 when it collided with a 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe that was towing a boat and traveling in its proper direction.
The driver of the wrong-way vehicle, a 24-year-old Seattle man, was transported to a nearby hospital and has reportedly been charged with vehicular homicide. Two passengers in his vehicle – a 23-year-old woman and another 23-year-old woman from Tacoma – were pronounced dead at the scene. According to the report, none of the occupants of the Charger were wearing seatbelts. The two occupants of the Tahoe, a 71-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman from Kent, were treated at the scene and were both wearing seatbelts. Investigators have alleged that driver impairment, involving drugs or alcohol, was the cause. Traffic on I-90 was slowed for roughly seven hours during the investigation.
Who May Be Liable
While criminal charges have reportedly been filed, civil liability is a separate question with a lower burden of proof. Based on the reported facts, several parties could potentially be pursued in a civil claim:
- The alleged impaired driver. A motorist who drives the wrong direction on an interstate while allegedly under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be liable for the resulting injuries and deaths under Washington negligence law.
- The vehicle owner (if different from the driver). Under negligent entrustment principles, whoever owned the Charger could face exposure if they allegedly permitted an impaired or unfit driver to use it.
- A bar, restaurant, or social host. Washington’s dram shop statute (RCW 66.44.200) may allow claims against a commercial establishment that allegedly served alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person who then caused harm.
- An employer. If the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle in the course of employment, the employer could be vicariously liable.
- Third parties. In rare cases, a vehicle defect, roadway design issue, or missing signage may contribute to a wrong-way entry. These theories require careful expert investigation.
Nothing here should be read as a finding of fault. These are potential defendant categories that a Washington personal injury lawyer would investigate.
Legal Theories That May Apply
Several overlapping civil theories often arise from a crash of this nature:
- Negligence. The core theory – alleging that a driver breached their duty of reasonable care by driving impaired and against the flow of traffic.
- Negligence per se. Violating safety statutes, such as Washington’s DUI laws or rules requiring travel in the correct direction, can establish a presumption of negligence.
- Wrongful death (RCW 4.20.010). Personal representatives of the deceased may pursue claims on behalf of statutory beneficiaries.
- Survival actions (RCW 4.20.046 and 4.20.060). These allow recovery for losses the decedent suffered before death, including conscious pain and suffering.
- Negligent entrustment. If a vehicle owner allegedly handed keys to someone they knew or should have known was unfit to drive.
- Dram shop liability. Against a licensed alcohol seller that allegedly overserved an apparently intoxicated patron.
- Loss of consortium. A spouse’s claim for the loss of companionship, affection, and support.
Damages Victims May Recover
Washington law allows a broad range of recoverable damages in serious injury and wrongful death cases. Depending on the facts, victims and their families may pursue:
- Medical expenses, both past and future, including emergency transport, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity if injuries prevent a return to work.
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression that commonly follow catastrophic wrecks.
- Loss of consortium for spouses and, in some circumstances, parents and children.
- Funeral and burial costs in wrongful death claims.
- Loss of financial support, services, and guidance that the deceased would have provided.
- Property damage to vehicles, boats, trailers, and personal belongings.
Washington does not currently permit punitive damages in most civil cases. However, in some situations, out-of-state law may apply, or certain statutory enhancements may be available. A lawyer can evaluate that carefully.
Washington follows a pure comparative fault rule (RCW 4.22.005). Even if a jury assigns some percentage of fault to a plaintiff – for example, in disputes over seatbelt use or other factors – the injured party can still recover, with damages reduced proportionally.
Evidence That Strengthens a Case
The difference between a settlement offer and a full-value recovery often lies in the evidence. In a wrong-way, alleged-impairment crash, we typically look for:
- The Washington State Patrol collision report and any supplemental investigator narratives.
- Toxicology and blood-draw results from the criminal investigation.
- 911 recordings and dispatch logs (wrong-way drivers are often called in by multiple motorists).
- Dash-cam and body-cam footage from responding troopers.
- Vehicle event data recorder (“black box”) downloads showing speed, braking, and throttle inputs.
- Surveillance from nearby businesses, rest areas, and on-ramp cameras that might show where the wrong-way entry began.
- Receipts, credit card records, and witness statements from any establishment that allegedly served alcohol.
- Cell phone records to rule in or out distraction.
- Medical records documenting injuries, treatment, and prognosis.
- Expert reports from accident reconstructionists, toxicologists, and life-care planners.
Much of this evidence disappears quickly. Vehicles get salvaged. Video is overwritten in as little as 72 hours. Preserving it early is critical.
What to Do Next
If you or a loved one was harmed in this crash – or in any similar wrong-way or DUI collision – consider these conservative steps:
- Get complete medical care. Even injuries that feel minor at the scene can worsen. Follow through with every appointment.
- Preserve evidence. Do not repair or dispose of your vehicle until it has been inspected. Save clothing, photos, and any objects from the scene.
- Document everything. Keep a journal of symptoms, missed work, and how the injuries affect daily life.
- Do not give recorded statements to insurers. Adjusters – even from your own carrier – may ask questions designed to minimize your claim. You are not required to provide a recorded statement before speaking with a lawyer.
- Watch the deadlines. In Washington, most personal injury and wrongful death claims must be filed within three years (RCW 4.16.080). Claims involving governmental entities have shorter notice requirements.
- Talk to a lawyer early. Evidence and witness memories fade fast.
If you or a family member has been hurt or lost someone in a wrong-way or impaired-driving crash in Washington, the team at Law Offices of Greene & Lloyd is here to listen. Call (253)-770-0808 or visit https://greeneandlloyd.com for a confidential, no-pressure conversation about your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a drunk driver in Washington even if they are being criminally prosecuted?
Yes. Criminal and civil cases are separate proceedings with different burdens of proof. A driver charged with vehicular homicide or DUI may still be sued civilly for damages, and the civil case typically proceeds regardless of the criminal outcome.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Washington?
Most wrongful death and personal injury claims in Washington must be filed within three years of the date of the incident under RCW 4.16.080. Different rules may apply if a government entity is involved, so it is important to consult an attorney quickly.
What if my loved one was a passenger in the at-fault vehicle?
Passengers who are injured or killed generally have claims against the driver of the vehicle they were riding in, even if that driver was a friend or family member. Recovery usually comes through the driver’s auto liability insurance, not out of their personal pocket.
Does it matter that the passengers were not wearing seatbelts?
It can, but it is not necessarily fatal to a claim. Washington follows a pure comparative fault system, so an argument about seatbelt nonuse could reduce damages, but the injured party or their estate may still recover a substantial amount depending on the facts and expert testimony.
Can we sue a bar or restaurant that overserved the driver?
Possibly. Under Washington’s dram shop law (RCW 66.44.200), a licensed establishment that allegedly served alcohol to an apparently intoxicated person may face liability if that person then causes injury. These claims require careful investigation of receipts, video, and witnesses.
What if the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance?
This is common in catastrophic crashes. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may provide critical additional protection, and Washington law generally requires insurers to offer it. A lawyer can help identify every available policy, including UIM, umbrella, and employer coverage.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
Most Washington personal injury attorneys, including our firm, handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. That means no upfront cost – the fee comes as a percentage of the recovery, and if there is no recovery, you owe no attorney’s fee.
What damages can a surviving spouse or children recover in a wrongful death case?
Eligible beneficiaries may recover for loss of financial support, loss of love, care, companionship, and guidance, along with funeral and burial expenses. A separate survival action may also allow recovery for the decedent’s pre-death pain and suffering and medical bills.
Original reporting: kpq.com.