An alleged drunken driver, who had a toddler partially lying under the passenger seat of his car at the time of his arrest, made an initial appearance Friday in Clark County Superior Court on allegations including domestic violence assault and resisting arrest.
Edward Wright Jr. was wheeled into the courtroom for the brief hearing. Judge Daniel Stahnke appointed Wright a defense attorney after hearing that the 54-year-old was in bad health, disabled and living off Social Security.
At about 6:45 a.m. Thursday, Washington State Patrol troopers stopped on the right shoulder of the Interstate 5 offramp at Mill Plain Boulevard and tried to flag down Wright to get him to pull over after observing the Dodge Magnum he was driving cross several lanes “at a very slow rate of speed,” according to a probable cause affidavit.
Wright initially refused to stop, and then when he did, he would not pull over right away. In the subsequent contact with troopers, Wright tried to get back into his car and resisted when troopers grabbed his arms, according to the affidavit.
Troopers reported that Wright failed sobriety tests and was arrested. Shortly after, Wright’s “14-month-old son was found lying on the rear passenger floor board halfway under the front seat,” the affidavit says.
Wright’s girlfriend responded to the scene to pick up the child. She told troopers that Wright had assaulted her earlier in the morning, according to a separate probable cause affidavit.
Wright faces allegations of failing to obey a flagman, driving under the influence, resisting arrest and second-degree domestic violence assault.
Deputy Prosecutor Katie Sinclair asked Stahnke to set bail at $30,000. She argued that the allegations and a lengthy criminal history raised concern for community safety.
Sinclair said Wright has seven prior warrants and numerous convictions for violating a domestic violence order, driving with a suspended license and disorderly conduct, among other crimes.
Stahnke set bail at $15,000.
Wright told the judge that amount was still too much.
“I don’t have that kind of money,” Wright said. “I didn’t do nothin’ to her. I need to be out (of jail). I’m really sick.”
