Dustin Brown Hits Four Pedestrians, Kills One, in Alleged DUI Accident in Bellingham, WA

Bellingham, WA — An accident in Bellingham, Washington, has left one person dead and three others injured. The accident occurred at the intersection of North State Street and East Chestnut Street, around 1:45 on the morning of Monday, May 26, 2014.

According to reports, Dustin Brown was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he sped out into traffic in his pickup truck, drove through a parking lot and out onto East Chestnut and ramming an SUV. Brown went on to crash into several more vehicles before hitting a barrier fence and being detained by witnesses until police could arrive on the scene.

Brown hit four pedestrians, killing one of them.

The accident is still under investigation.

Scene of the Accident

Commentary

Even in alleged drunk driving accidents, I prefer to give the drivers the benefit of the doubt. Because in the course of seeing so many accidents, some strange things can pop up. Sometimes what may appear to be a drunk driving accident on the surface really isn’t. But there are other times where there’s just no twisting it. In this case, something was wrong with the driver. If it wasn’t alcohol, it was something else. If it was alcohol, they need to be held accountable for what they’ve done.

The only thing that may change things here is if the driver were drinking at a bar or restaurant. If he was visibly intoxicated — which is possible — and still being served, then the bar may be partially liable for the accident. Washington’s dram shop laws say that commercial establishments have a duty to avoid serving alcohol to anyone who’s obviously drunk, which can be judged by the way they look by those around them at the time the alcohol is being served.

Holding the bar partially liable wouldn’t take responsibility away from the driver. If he’s guilty, he should be punished. But those serving him the alcohol also played a role in the accident, and should also be held accountable.

— Grossman Law Offices