Drunk Driver Arraigned for Vehicular Manslaughter | Bellevue Car Accident Lawyer

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In terms of crimes that you can commit while driving a car, vehicular manslaughter is about as bad as it gets. As a Bellevue car accident attorney and Seattle wrongful death lawyer, I see cases involving this charge more than I’d like. Basically, this charge holds people liable for negligent driving that causes the death of another individual, or individuals. One of the most common forms of this is driving under the influence. Intoxicated drivers can face stiff penalties including multiple years of prison time when their careless act kills someone else.

Dana Richard Kempton, a 24-year-old man from Friday Harbor, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter for an accident in which his intoxication led to the death of a passenger in his vehicle. The crash occurred on Memorial Day when Kempton swerved his car off of Cattle Point Rd. in the San Juan’s and hit a ditch that resulted in the car flipping 1 ½ times. Kempton suffered minor injuries, but his passenger, 25-year-old John Parish, was killed in the accident. When the police arrived, they could smell alcohol on Kempton’s breath and say that he was at a .08 BAC. Kempton’s father said that his son is currently in rehab for an alcohol addiction. The arraignment is scheduled for August 13th.

A fatality resulting from drinking and driving is especially tragic, because it so easily can be avoided. My sincere condolences go out to the Parish family, who now after dealing with his death, will have to deal with the emotional stress that comes along with this impending case. Wrongful death cases are always difficult to deal with as the victim’s family, so I have written book with fellow lawyer Patrick J. Kang to help out anybody who finds themselves in this situation. Washington wrongful death cases are very complicated and emotional, so hopefully this book can act as an easing guide to those in need. The book is called, In Case of Death: Straight Talk on Washington Wrongful Death, and is available at no charge to Washington residents by clicking on the preceding link.