JUNE 11, 2015
BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON
The Washington State Patrol said an SUV struck four teens on
the sidewalk Wednesday, killing two and critically injuring two others.
Driver William Klein of Bellingham was arrested for
investigation of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, Trooper Mark Francis
said. The man told a patrol drug recognition expert he had used drugs "and
the expert also observed signs of impairment," Francis said. The trooper
would not discuss what drugs were mentioned.
Trooper Mark Francis said the two victims who were killed
are Gabriel Anderson, 15, and Shane Ormiston, 18, from Ferndale. The two
injured teens are Michael Brewster, 17, of Custer, who has broken legs. Also
injured is Kole Randall, 17, of Ferndale, who also has broken legs and a concussion.
Both injured students were listed in serious condition Wednesday night.
The driver, identified as 34-year-old William Klein of
Bellingham, was arrested for two counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of
vehicular assault.
Troopers said Klein admitted to drug use. Washington State
Patrol also says Klein's 3-year-old son was in the car at the time.
Francis said the students were out walking with their class
as part of a school physical education exercise Wednesday afternoon when the
SUV left the road and hit them from behind.
"We went running out and there was just bodies
everywhere, so we didn't know which one to go to," said Lynnette Delamare,
who lives nearby. "Finally more people started coming and we got blankets
and we knew right away… two of them were not moving."
Francis said Klein told investigators that he had returned
from work and had fallen asleep at the wheel. He later admitted to drug use.
Francis said it's believed the teens were walking on a
raised sidewalk at the time of the crash.
Francis said the scene was about 50 yards long. It's not yet
known how fast the SUV was travelling.
Ferndale Mayor Gary Jensen issued a statement saying
"There are simply no words to soothe the pain of this loss. Ferndale is
hurting and we mourn together, as a community. Our thoughts and prayers are
with the families in this time of tragedy."
Members of the community gathered at the Good News
Fellowship Church in Ferndale to mourn the victims.
"Our community is hurting. We are going to hurt for a
long time. There is not a way to get around that," said one attendee.
The 170-student Windward High School was established in 2002
with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
//--------------------///
SUV PLOWS INTO STUDENTS IN WASHINGTON, 2 KILLED (ABC NEWS)
BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON STATE
An SUV plowed into a group of students walking near their
high school Wednesday, killing two of the students and leaving two others with
serious injuries, the Washington State Patrol said.
Driver William Klein of Bellingham was arrested for
investigation of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, Francis said. The
man told a patrol drug recognition expert he had used drugs "and the
expert also observed signs of impairment," Francis said. The trooper would
not discuss what drugs were mentioned.
The accident happened at about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday in
Ferndale, a few blocks away from Windward High School. A group of 30 students
and a teacher from a gym class were walking when the accident happened.
Shane Ormiston, 18, and Gabriel Anderson, 15, both of
Ferndale, were killed, the State Patrol said. The injured students are 17 years
old.
The driver -- identified as William Klein of Bellingham --
was arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and two counts
of vehicular assault, Washington State Patrol Trooper Mark Francis said.
Shelley Hardt was working nearby when the crash occurred.
"Just heard just the worst yell -- just, 'No! No!
No!'" Hardt told ABC affiliate KOMO-TV. "You knew that something
really, really bad had happened. So I ran outside as fast as I could."
The teacher was distraught, Hardt said.
"He was very, very upset and crying and walking around.
I don't think he knew what to do. I don't think anybody knew what to do,"
she told KOMO-TV.
The Ferndale School District released a statement as information
emerged about the accident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Shane and Gabriel, and
their families. We also offer condolences to all the Windward High students and
staff,” the statement reads.
A community gathering was organized in the hours following
the accident, and a candlelight vigil is scheduled for Saturday. Additionally,
counselors will be available at the school.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing.