BELLINGHAM, Wash. — First responders were dispatched to the intersection of York Street and Cornwall Avenue on September 4th due to report of a car versus pedestrian hit-and-run crash.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Whatcom County Superior Court, a Bellingham Police Department (BPD) officer arrived and saw a woman lying on the ground in a turn lane. Bellingham Fire Department (BFD) personnel arrived and transported the woman to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center for treatment of what was described as serious injuries. A walker she was using was destroyed.
The woman told investigators she activated the electronic pedestrian “walk” signal and began crossing in the crosswalk when it was lit. She did not see the vehicle nor recalled being hit. Her next memory was of receiving medical attention.
Witness reports and video recordings from nearby business and traffic cameras led BPD investigators to believe the suspect vehicle was a black Honda Odyssey owned by Ethin Jay Brote, age 20. The vehicle was located and impounded on September 8th.
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Brote was interviewed by BPD investigators and shown a video of the incident. While admitting to being the driver, he said he was not aware of having hit a pedestrian.
Brote was arrested on October 4th and booked into the Whatcom County Jail. He faces felony charges of vehicular assault with substantial injury and hit and run with injuries in Whatcom County Superior Court.
A preliminary hearing was held on October 4th. Prosecutors requested bail be set at $10,000. The court sided with defense’s request that Brote be released on his own personal recognizance. He was released from custody and ordered not to drive as a condition of his release.
An arraignment hearing is scheduled for October 11th.
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