Car Hits Light Pole in Renton; Two Injured

Ryan Nute

Contributor

0 CommentsPrint ArticleSubscribe

A driver and passenger were injured this morning in Renton, Washington after the driver lost control of his Nissan Maxima on Maple Valley Highway.

The passenger was seriously hurt and sustained life-threatending injuries. Officials believe high speed and alcohol contributed to the collision.

There is a special statute in Washington in personal injury cases involving intoxication. RCW 5.40.060 provides as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, it is a complete defense to an action for damages for personal injury or wrongful death that the person injured or killed was under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug at the time of the occurrence causing the injury or death and that such condition was a proximate cause of the injury or death and the trier of fact finds such person to have been more than fifty percent at fault. The standard for determining whether a person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs shall be the same standard established for criminal convictions under RCW 46.61.502, and evidence that a person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs under the standard established by RCW 46.61.502 shall be conclusive proof that such person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

(2) In an action for damages for personal injury or wrongful death that is brought against the driver of a motor vehicle who was under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug at the time of the occurrence causing the injury or death and whose condition was a proximate cause of the injury or death, subsection (1) of this section does not create a defense against the action notwithstanding that the person injured or killed was also under the influence so long as such person's condition was not a proximate cause of the occurrence causing the injury or death.

Read more: Northwest Cable News; Revised Code of Washington