CUSTER, Wash. — First responders were dispatched to a report of a T-bone crash at the intersection of Bay and Bruce Roads after 3pm on Thursday, January 20th.
According to an affidavit of probable cause to arrest prepared by Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and submitted by prosecutors in Whatcom County Superior Court, a vehicle was southbound on Bruce Road when it failed to stop at a stop sign at Bay Road. It crashed into a vehicle traveling on Bay Road. Witnesses said the southbound vehicle was going about 80mph in a 35mph zone at the time of the crash.
The crash resulted in serious injuries for the vehicle traveling on Bay Road including a fractured pelvis, collapsed lung and broken ribs.
The driver of the southbound vehicle was identified as Richard Roddel, age 72, of Custer.
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Click for more informationAccording to the affidavit, Roddel told a WCSO deputy he had drank 3 whiskeys at a bar after spending the day golfing.
He was arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail charged with suspicion of vehicular assault. He remained in custody until his preliminary hearing the next day where the prosecution requested a $20,000 bail and the defense requested $2,000 or $200 cash bail. The court set bail at $10,000 or $1,000 cash and Roddel was released from custody after posting $1,000 cash bail.
An arraignment hearing is scheduled for April 1st.
Very sad to still see no common sense with the concept of drinking and driving . What a way to spend the last 1/3 of a long life . Disgusting