BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Jamie Vos, age 46 and of Lynden, pled guilty in Whatcom County Superior Court to a felony charge of vehicular assault with disregard for the safety of others and causing substantial bodily harm. After accepting the plea, the court issued a sentence of 2 months of confinement and be eligible for in- and out-of-custody work crew, work release and electronic home detention. The sentence is to be followed by 12 months of community custody during which time Vos is not to possess or consume alcohol.
The charge was the result of an incident in April of 2021 where 2 pedestrians in a crosswalk at the intersection of Front Street and 7th Street in Lynden were struck by a vehicle Vos was driving.
Lynden Police Chief Steve Taylor said in an email to Whatcom News at the time that arriving officers found 2 pedestrians had been struck in the crosswalk by a 2021 Tesla. The pedestrians were determined to have been crossing Front Street when the Tesla turned onto westbound Front Street from 7th Street and knocked both to the ground.
Lynden Fire Department Chief Mark Billmire told Whatcom News at the time that medical aid crews treated 2 patients at the scene. 1 had minor injuries and was treated and released and the other was transported by ambulance to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries via basic life support (BLS) protocol.
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Vos was arrested by Lynden Police and booked into Whatcom County Jail charged with suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular assault.
Vos was released from custody the next day after posting $2,000 cash bail. Terms of his release included not consuming intoxicants of any kind and not to drive. This was later modified to allowing driving a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device.
According to court records, prosecutors later accused Vos of having violated the terms of release after he had been seen drinking alcohol at a restaurant. Vos’ attorney said Vos was not aware of the need to abstain from drinking alcohol but understood restriction after the accusation had been made. The cash bail requirement was increased by $500 and was immediately paid.
A civil suit has been filed by the victims in Whatcom County Superior Court where they are seeking a judgement against Vos to cover their medical expenses and general damages including pain and suffering.