Injured victims transported to Harborview Medical Center, officials say
EDMONDS, WA, (June 17, 2025) - A tragic crash late Tuesday night claimed the lives of two people, including 48-year-old Melanie E. Ross of Auburn, when a Mini Cooper fleeing from a traffic stop drove off the Edmonds ferry dock and into the water.
Melanie E. Ross, 48, of Auburn, tragically lost her life in a single-vehicle crash that occurred late Tuesday night when a car drove off the Edmonds ferry dock, according to the Washington State Patrol.
According to the Washington State Patrol, the pursuit began after troopers clocked the Cooper traveling 79 mph in a 60-mph zone on Interstate 5 around 11:10 p.m. The driver fled at speeds exceeding 100 mph and ultimately launched off the ferry terminal in Edmonds, sending the car into the water. Ross and another passenger died at the scene.
Three others, including the driver, sustained serious injuries and were transported to Harborview Medical Center. Authorities said alcohol or drugs may have been contributing factors. The investigation remains ongoing.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
When a driver is impaired, their reaction time is significantly delayed, increasing the likelihood of a tragic outcome.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10,497 people lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes in 2016—representing 28% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. that year.
In cases like this, an independent investigation is essential to determine contributing factors, including toxicology reports to assess the driver’s blood-alcohol content.
“An attorney plays a vital role in supporting victims and their families through these devastating circumstances,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal and a seasoned DUI accident attorney. “By advocating for justice, an attorney helps ensure that reckless drivers are held fully accountable for their actions.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the family of Melanie E. Ross Lavigne may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. Such claims can seek compensation for funeral and medical expenses, the loss of companionship and support, emotional distress, and pain and suffering endured by surviving loved ones.
“A wrongful death occurs when a person’s life is taken due to the negligent or reckless actions of another,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “When fatal crashes are caused by dangerous behaviors like impaired or aggressive driving, families often have legal avenues to pursue civil justice against the at-fault party.”
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).