BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Whatcom County Jail records indicate the Washington State Patrol booked a driver involved in a wrong-way crash south of Bellingham on I-5 a year ago today, February 16th, and charged her with vehicular homicide while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Annastacia Dee Lough, age 21 and of Bothell, had been involved in the crash on February 1, 2022. The other driver involved was declared dead at the scene and Lough was transported to PeaceHealth St Joseph’s Medical Center by a medic unit.
According to a WSP press memo at the time of the crash, Lough had been driving northbound in the southbound lanes when the 2007 Lexus she was driving crashed head-on into the 1998 Toyota Avalon driven by the victim. The crash occurred north of the Nulle Road interchange.
According to an affidavit filed by WSP in Whatcom County Superior Court, the investigation determined Lough had a blood alcohol level of 0.19 g/100mL and an active THC content of 3.5 +/- 0 .9 ng/mL. The blood alcohol limit for driving in Washington state is 0.08 and the active THC content limit is 5.0.
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Click for more informationInvestigators said the event data recorder in the Lexus showed it had been traveling at about 76mph for the 4 seconds prior to the crash without slowing.
The affidavit stated officers had intended to place her under arrest on the night of the incident but the severity of her injuries prevented that from happening.
A warrant for Lough’s arrest was issued February 8th and she was booked into the jail about 5:30am today. She was released from custody after making a preliminary appearance in court and posting a $6,000 cash bail. She is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on February 24th.
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