Driver in Juanita Drive accident could face vehicular assault charge

By Matt Phelps • December 30, 2016 1:30 am
The Kirkland Police Department closed parts of Juanita Drive early Friday morning after a car drove off the road and struck a power pole. Matt Phelps/Kirkland Reporter
The Kirkland Police Department closed parts of Juanita Drive early Friday morning after a car drove off the road and struck a power pole. Matt Phelps/Kirkland Reporter

Two men in their late 20s or 30s were sent to the hospital after the vehicle they were traveling in left the roadway on Juanita Drive near 128th Street in Kirkland and slammed into a power pole before 1 a.m. Friday morning, according to Kirkland Police Sgt. Rob Saloum.

Kirkland Police have not ruled out drugs or alcohol being a factor in the crash, and they did conduct a blood test of the driver but have not yet received the results, Saloum said. Weather conditions, including heavy rain, could also be a factor.

Saloum said they were looking into a vehicular assault charge against the driver for the injuries caused to the passenger. The passenger had a head injury and was sent to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The driver had less serious injuries and was taken to EvergreenHealth in Kirkland.

The investigation lasted through the morning commute, and a detour was set up to reroute traffic around the accident scene. The road is now open.

Staff writer Catherine Krummey contributed to this report.