The 84-year-old man who reportedly caused two vehicle accidents within a month — including one that killed a young mom — still has his driver’s license.
Thomas Charlson, a spokesperson for the Washington Department of Licensing, said James Elov Axelson of Toutle still had a valid license as of Friday.
He said the department cannot say whether Axelson’s license will be revoked, but the 30-day deadline to show he is medically sound to drive is approaching.
According to Longview police, Axelson struck and killed a young mom on June 13 in Longview. Emily Cox, 20, of Longview, died when Axelson crashed into her apartment. Another woman trapped inside the apartment was also injured.
On July 27, Axelson, driving a Cadillac he purchased that day, rear-ended Matthew W. Carlson, 23, of Woodland, on southbound Interstate 5, the Washington State Patrol reports.
State Patrol Trooper Daniel Buckley marked the medical condition box on the accident’s report. He writes: “I am concerned that this driver has one or more of the following that may affect their ability to safely drive.”
Buckley goes on to report he asked Axelson what happened, but the driver had no memory of the event. Once at the hospital, Axelson’s fiance told authorities he could not remember her name. Axelson told the trooper he thought he was in California, the report states.
Washington State Patrol Trooper Will Finn said Axelson had a valid driver’s license at the time of the July 27 crash.
Despite the accidents, revoking a driver’s license requires proof from law enforcement agencies and medical providers.
Axelson was not charged as a result of the crashes. After the June crash, police suggested the department of licensing review his license.
Department of Licensing records show Axelson passed a vision screening July 11, as well as the department’s physical and a vehicle assessment July 25. In the latter test, he made “some minor errors,” such as not looking over his shoulder when changing lanes and not using a signal, and was told to watch his speed, the report states.
The second crash was two days later.
Three days after that accident, on July 30, the department sent a letter to Axelson stating staff had been notified he may have a medical condition affecting his ability to drive. He was asked to provide a medical examination by a doctor to prevent his driver’s license from being suspended.
The is no maximum age for driver’s licenses in Washington, Charlson said. Instead, the department looks for mental or physical health reasons to remove someone’s license.
Axelson could not be reached for comment by The Daily News.
