Tyler A. Campbell appeared Monday in Clark County Superior Court to face a vehicular assault allegation stemming from a Saturday crash that injured six people.
The 23-year-old Vancouver resident was arrested following the crash at 1:58 a.m. in the 24400 block of Northeast Rawson Road, near Northeast Hinness Road in the Proebstel area east of Hockinson, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash.
Judge Gregory Gonzales set Campbell’s bail at $15,000.
An investigation determined that Campbell was driving a 1998 Chevrolet full-sized pickup west on Rawson Road when he allowed the vehicle to drift off the road. Campbell brought the pickup back onto the pavement, but crossed the center line into oncoming traffic.
The pickup crashed head-on into an eastbound 1998 Nissan Sentra, injuring three in the car, one seriously, before rolling onto its passenger’s side into the path of a westbound 1999 Ford pickup, the sheriff’s office said. Three passengers in Campbell’s Chevrolet were also injured. Their names were not released.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the driver of the Nissan was extricated from his vehicle and taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver. When a deputy later checked on the driver, he was told the man had suffered broken bones in his arms, hands and face.
During a crash scene interview, Campbell told deputies the Nissan was traveling in the opposite direction and over a double yellow line. He also said a sharp curve pushed him closer to the center line, which caused the two cars to collide, according to the affidavit.
Campbell said he drank only one beer in the four hours before the crash, according to the affidavit.
But another witness said Campbell was driving too fast, went off the roadway, and then came back onto the road and crashed. A second witness also said Campbell left the road, according to the affidavit.
Both of the witnesses reported being at a bonfire party with Campbell; they said they saw him drink one beer but were unsure if he had more, according to the affidavit.
Campbell agreed to do several field sobriety tests. He lost his balance and had trouble following instructions during at least two of the tests, the affidavit says.
A breath test showed Campbell had a 0.15 blood-alcohol level, according to the affidavit. In Washington, a level of 0.08 or greater is considered evidence of drunken driving.
Campbell told the judge he is not employed. If he posts the imposed bail, he must install an interlock ignition device on any vehicle he drives. Campbell is also barred from possessing alcohol, and subject to random drug and alcohol tests. He is not allowed to have contact with any of the people who were injured in the crash.
An arraignment hearing was scheduled for Jan. 18.
