By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Investigators concluded the allegedly drunken driver in a two-vehicle crash this summer in Onalaska that killed three teenagers in the oncoming vehicle is not to blame for the accident.
Initial reports indicated the suspected point of impact was exactly in the middle of state Route 508, but the final report showed 17-year-old Arnold W. Mullinax crossed the centerline, according to the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office.
The 2002 Land Rover Discovery.
The Onalaska teen was carrying seven other young people in his Land Rover Discovery, most of whom were not wearing seat belts.
Mullinax and 13-year-old Taylor N. Thompson, also from Onalaska, died at the scene. Dakota L. Dunivin, 18, from Chehalis, passed away the following day at the hospital.
Joseph W. Rogerson, 36, from Chehalis, was arrested that night for driving under the influence and his case in Lewis County District Court has been in a holding pattern as prosecutors waited for the final report from investigators with the Washington State Patrol.
The July 13 nighttime crash left a community in mourning.
The 2004 Ford Freestyle minivan
Responders from five area fire departments arrived to the scene near Hyak Road to find Mullinax’s Land Rover upside down, Rogerson’s Ford minivan on the roadway and 10 potential patients. All the survivors except for Rogerson’s wife were transported to hospitals.
Rogerson’s case has been dragged out, because if the investigation revealed the wreck was his fault, prosecutors were prepared to charge him with felonies such as vehicular assault and vehicular manslaughter.
Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer today met with the families of the victims to apprise them of the findings, before speaking about his decision that no further charges would be filed against the Chehalis resident.
He explained to them that there’s simply not a law to hold someone criminally liable who did not cause an accident, he said.
Meyer said he has had the final report for about a month.
“After the measurements were taken, the scene recreated and the vehicles inspected, it was found Mr. Rogerson was in his own lane of travel,” Meyer said.
Meyer said they know Mullinax’s crossed the centerline, although they don’t know for sure why that happened.
“A moment of inattention is all it would take,” Meyer said.
He acknowledged there was information in the state patrol’s report that offered clues, but out of respect for the families of the victims declined to elaborate.
The final reports showed Mullinax had no alcohol or any drug in his system, Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher said.
Rogerson’s blood alcohol level that night was .15, according to Meyer.
Meyer said investigators concluded with the way the accident occurred, even a sober driver in the van would not have been able to avoid it.
“This is obviously a huge tragedy, three young children lost their lives,” Meyer said. “That’s the key we take away.
“We always have to be cognizant of what happens (on the road) and let our loved ones know they are loved ones.”
Rogerson’s next court hearing is Wednesday. He has been free on a $5,000 appearance bond
Among his court-ordered conditions are that he may not consume any alcohol, he may not drive without an ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle and has to wear an alcohol monitor bracelet which will detect if he drinks.
•••
For background, read “Charging decision expected soon in Onalaska triple fatality wreck” from Wednesday September 23, 2015, here
Join us