A Vancouver man who allegedly struck his cousin with a vehicle during a fight in a parking lot Tuesday night made a first appearance Thursday in Clark County Superior Court.
Tyler N. Beasley, 26, is facing allegations of attempted vehicular homicide-domestic violence, reckless driving and third-degree driving with a suspended license, court records show. Judge Daniel Stahnke set Beasley’s bail at $150,000; he will be arraigned Nov. 1.
At about 9:30 p.m., Vancouver police were called to a disturbance at the Handy Andy’s gas station, 3314 N.E. 44th St., in the West Minnehaha neighborhood.
Witnesses said Beasley and his cousin, James Hassel, were in two physical altercations, according to an affidavit of probable cause. A witness told police Beasley punched Hassel, knocking him to the ground; Hassel was unconscious for about 10 seconds.
Beasley got into a vehicle and sped off, going south in the northbound lanes of St. Johns Road, the affidavit says, but then drove back to the parking lot and got into another physical altercation with Hassel.
Beasley once again drove off, going the wrong way on St. Johns Road, before returning to the parking lot and driving directly at Hassel, striking him. Witnesses said he did not attempt to stop, according to the court document.
Hassel was thrown onto the hood of the vehicle and rolled off. Beasley then drove over a 2-foot ledge, and the vehicle became high-centered, court records state.
Beasley managed to free the vehicle, of which the bottom molding was broken off, and drove south in the northbound lanes of St. Johns Road, west on Northeast 44th Street and then north in the southbound lanes of St. James Road, according to the affidavit.
Police said Hassel suffered multiple abrasions and couldn’t recall what happened to him. When police located Beasley, an officer smelled a strong odor of intoxicants coming from his breath, and his eyes were watery, bloodshot and droopy, the court document says. There were red handprints on the hood of the vehicle that appeared to be blood.
“Tyler drove in a manner that was reckless and total wanton disregard for the safety of others, Tyler drove directly at James, Tyler didn’t try and go around James, Tyler didn’t attempt to stop to avoid hitting James, Tyler hit James with his vehicle causing him to go up onto the hood and then fall to the ground,” the affidavit reads.
