Sandy Swimming Hole is a popular swimming spot for local residents and visitors in Washougal, Washington, which is just 30 minutes northeast of Portland, Oregon. Located on the Washougal River, it's a great place to escape the summer heat. Unfortunately, two visitors were killed recently as they were sunbathing on the beach. The visitors were German nationals who had been visiting family in the Portland area.

On June 25, 2019, a Jeep Grand Cherokee crashed through a chain-link fence on the west side of the swimming park and drove onto the beach, running over the man and woman who were lying by the river. Witnesses say the Jeep never once slowed down or stopped, and it continued through the park and left the area. Later the police found the Jeep a half-mile away and had it towed to the police station.

The owner of the Jeep, David Croswell, has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide DUI. Croswell told police he had been drinking before the incident, and during a preliminary breath test four hours after the hit and run, he blew a .085, which is over the legal limit in Washington. Croswell's court-appointed attorney says his client has medical issues.

Vehicular homicide DUI is a class A felony in Washington and has very serious penalties. If Croswell (who is 71) is convicted, he could face life in prison and fines up to $50,000.

If You Are Arrested for Suspected DUI in Washington

Washington has an implied consent law, just like every other state in the country. If you are driving on public roads, you are considered to be consenting to a breath or blood test if you are suspected of driving under the influence. After a DUI arrest, drivers may be able to decline the test but they can still be charged with a DUI and will automatically face a license suspension, even if the driver is sober. 

If you are pulled over for a suspected DUI, you have to provide your driver's license and registration. Any other information you give the officer--whether they ask for it or you volunteer it--could be potentially self-incriminating.

If you are worried that you could say something that would hurt your case, it may be best to decline to provide any other answers until you have an attorney with you.

DUI Attorney Steve Karimi

Steve Karimi has proven and effective legal skills to represent clients across the state of Washington. He is a former prosecutor who now works to defend people against DUI charges, no matter how cut-and-dried the case may seem. If you failed a breath test or volunteered self-incriminating information during a DUI traffic stop, call his office today at 206-621-8777 or fill out an online contact form to learn how he can help you.