The driver charged with injuring a Cowlitz County deputy coroner when he drove through a closed investigation scene last weekend, had a blood alcohol level over the legal limit, court records show.
If the Washington state Senate's recently passed bill to lower the maximum allowable blood alcohol concentration for drivers from 0.08% to 0.05% proceeds, Michael Dean Sturgill would still be over.
Court records show 43-year-old Castle Rock man's blood alcohol content was at 0.149%.
During Monday's preliminary appearance, Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Thad Scudder set Sturgill's bail at $50,000 for the crash that occurred on Saturday.
Sturgill is no longer in Cowlitz County Jail.
One of his release conditions is to use a breathalyzer to operate a vehicle.
Authorities say three people were struck when Sturgill sped through a closed area on Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, between the Shell station near Tower Road and Seaquest State Park, at around 2 a.m. Jan. 24.
Cowlitz County Deputy Coroner Justine L. Enriquez was at the scene, finishing her investigation from the previous night's fatal crash, which authorities say also included an intoxicated driver and occurred about five hours earlier.
The 35-year-old Kelso woman was standing outside a Washington State Patrol vehicle, gathering evidence, when Sturgill hit her, Cowlitz County Coroner Dana Tucker told The Daily News.
Enriquez fractured her femur, according to the police report that led to Sturgill's arrest, and was transported to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview.
Around 9 p.m. Jan. 23, Dylon S. Paulson, 21, of Silver Lake, died at the scene after veering off the road, rolling and hitting a utility pole, according to a Washington State Patrol press memo.
Troopers suspect he was using drugs or alcohol and speeding.
His two 19-year-old Castle Rock passengers were not injured.
Sturgill, driving a 2007 Dodge Ram, also hit a Washington Department of Transportation pickup truck, where WSDOT employee Rachel M. Suitter was sitting.
Suitter, 39, of Ethel, was not injured.
He also collided with two patrol vehicles, which had their emergency lights on, including the vehicle in which trooper Ryan P. Hauck was sitting.
The 40-year-old from Winlock was one of the four troopers working the crash site. He was also uninjured.
However, more people could have been hurt.
The arresting document reports 10 people were at the scene: the four troopers, two Cowlitz County Coroner employees, two Washington State Department of Transportation employees, a Washington State Patrol sergeant, and a tow operator.
Trooper Claudia Wagner had to sprint toward the shoulder of the highway, away from her vehicle, to avoid being hit, the document states. Her vehicle was totaled.
Tucker told The Daily News no Cowlitz County Coroner Office vehicles were hit or damaged.
Sturgill was found trapped inside his truck and appeared to be intoxicated. He was described as having bloodshot eyes, a flushed red face and he struggled to remove his driver's license out of his own wallet, telling the officer that "it was stuck," the report states.
He reportedly admitted to drinking four beers that night.
Sturgill was placed under arrest after he failed his field sobriety test, and Cowlitz County District Court Judge Kevin Blondin approved a search warrant to withdraw his blood, the report states.
Sturgill is charged with vehicular assault and 10 counts of reckless endangerment, according to court records.
He is being represented by Daniel Morgan from Longview's Morgan Law Firm, whom he hired.
His next court date is scheduled for Feb. 9.
