Alleged drunk driver causes I-90 head-on collision

Two drivers were rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a Dec. 15 head-on crash involving a suspected drunk driver on I-90 near High Point Road. According to the Washington State Patrol, a trooper was traveling eastbound near Preston at around 12:30 p.m. when he saw a silver 2001 Acura RL in front of him drive up and over a grassy median between the eastbound and westbound lanes. The driver of the Acura, a 53-year-old Newcastle resident, then allegedly began driving against traffic in the center westbound lane, swerved to avoid colliding with a semi-truck, and immediately collided head-on with a grey 2006 Honda Civic near milepost 20. Both Acura driver and the sole occupant of the Honda Civic, 24-year-old North Bend resident Rachel McNaul, were both rushed to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. Troopers and detectives closed two of the three westbound lanes until around 3 p.m. while they investigated the scene, causing minor delays. State Patrol spokesperson Trooper Dan McDonald said he has reason to believe the Newcastle resident was intoxicated at the time of the crash and was previously convicted of a DUI charge. "Until we have results from the lab we can't say for sure," he said. McDonald also said the alleged drunk driver would be charged with vehicular assault, which could be raised to vehiclular homicide if the alleged victim passes away. As of 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, both women are still being treated for their injuries in intensive care. Both women were upgraded from critical to serious condition. Pending confirmation of charges filed by the King County Prosecutor's Office, the Reporter removed the identity of the alleged drunk driver from the story. Names of individuals arrested are not listed because of editorial policy to withhold identities of those believed to be not yet charged with a crime.

Contact Issaquah Reporter Staff Kendall Watson at kwatson@issaquah-reporter.com or (425) 391-0363, ext. 5052.

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