She was booked into King County jail on charges of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault
ENUMCLAW, WA, (October 13, 2024) - A 72-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman lost their lives in a crash with a vehicle whose driver, investigators say, was operating "aggressively" and "dangerously." Two more individuals were seriously hurt in the collision, police said.
Michelle Walton-Thomas, 63, is accused of causing a crash that left two people dead and injured two others on State Route 410 in Enumclaw late Sunday morning, according to authorities.
The suspect driver—identified as Michelle Walton-Thomas—faces multiple charges, including vehicular homicide and vehicular assault.
According to a preliminary investigation, Walton-Thomas, who also goes by the name Michelle Renee Oster, was driving westbound on State Route 410 in Enumclaw on Sunday around 11:45 a.m. when she entered the eastbound lane in an attempt to pass a row of eight to 10 vehicles. As the 63-year-old drove in a no-passing zone, she came upon an eastbound vehicle, forcing her to travel back into the westbound lane, where she crashed into a Subaru. The Subaru was subsequently t-boned by a Honda Fit, authorities said in a report.
Both the fatality victims were occupants of the Subaru. The driver and a passenger in the Honda were airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries.
Oster remains in King County jail on $100,000 bail.
This is an ongoing investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was the primary cause of fatal crashes in 2018, followed by the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication; failure to stay in the proper lane; failure to yield the right of way; and distracted driving.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said that it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their rights, while ensuring that a driver who does not obey traffic laws is held accountable for their actions,” Bond added.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of the victims killed in the fateful crash may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one,” said Bond, a national analyst for Newsline.
“If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve.”
Have you been in a similar accident and need help? Speak to Newsline's national legal analyst Candice Bond now free of charge for a no-obligation consultation
(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).