A Washougal man accused of causing a vehicle crash that injured a woman and led to the death of her unborn child made a first appearance Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court.
Joseph D. Short, 30, appeared on suspicion of vehicular assault in connection with the Monday afternoon crash.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Short was under the influence of drugs as he drove east on state Highway 14 at Milepost 19 near Evergreen Boulevard, crossed the centerline and collided with a westbound tractor-trailer shortly after 4 p.m.
Short sustained a broken left collarbone. A passenger in his vehicle, Ashlie Cagle, suffered a fractured ankle and femur, as well as a bruised lung. Cagle was 33 weeks into her pregnancy. Her unborn child was confirmed dead by medical personnel, court records said.
Washington State Patrol troopers responded to the scene and found a marijuana pipe on the passenger side floor. Cagle said the pipe belonged to her, according to the affidavit. Troopers also found several prescription bottles throughout Short’s vehicle. The names on the bottles had been removed, court documents said.
Blood sample drawn
The collision caused the tractor-trailer to overturn and block the roadway for several hours after the crash. A trooper at the scene said the driver of the tractor-trailer was OK.
While at a hospital, Short reportedly agreed to be evaluated by officers and was determined to be under the influence of some type of drug, other than the pain medication he had been given. A sample of his blood was drawn for toxicology testing, court records said.
During his hearing, Judge Gregory Gonzales appointed attorney Gregg Schile to represent Short.
His bail was set at $50,000. He is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 15.
