All Topics

• Hit and Run Hospitalizes Bainbridge Island Girl

  Ryan Nute | March 07, 2007 9:23 AM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  A 13-year old girl was hit by a car last month while walking along Sportsman Club Road. The driver, who had veered onto the shoulder, then sped off.The girl was struck by the fender and side mirror. She was taken to Harrison Medical Center for observation. The authorities are asking anyone with information to call (206) 842-5211. Injuries sustained in hit-and-run collisions are usually...

• Spate of Bicycle Accidents in South Sound

  Ryan Nute | March 06, 2007 4:16 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  A number of bike vs. car collisions have been in the news lately. As one might expect, usually the bicyclist gets the worst of it.Last Wednesday a man (Stacey Pippen) was struck while riding against traffic when he was struck by a car making a right turn. Last Monday William R. Thompson, a 93-year-old man, was struck by a recycling truck in Tumwater and was hospitalized in serious condition...

• $45 Million Claim Filed Against State by Abused Foster Children

  Ryan Nute | February 01, 2007 8:50 AM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  Enrique Fabregas had a criminal record and a list of unresolved sexual abuse complaints against him. Nevertheless, the State of Washington placed foster children in his home. The foster children have filed suit against the State for $45 million, arguing that Mr. Fabregas should not have been licensed.The claimants allege Mr. Fabregas (currently in jail) subjected them to severe abuse. One of...

• Kalama Woman Mistakenly Arrested at Gunpoint

  Ryan Nute | January 08, 2007 3:57 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  Joy Harris, owner of The Brits restaurant in downtown Longview, Washington, was mistakenly arrested by the police last month after a thief stole her license plates and replaced them with plates from a stolen car.Ms. Harris claims that the officers drew their revolvers and pointed them at her before handcuffing her. Fortunately she was released ten minutes later. However, she says it has taken...

• Man Resuscitated by Son in Ocean Shores Crash

  Ryan Nute | January 08, 2007 9:00 AM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  A car crashed last Friday into a ditch in Ocean Shores. The car overturned and ended up in three feet of water. A man used mouth to mouth resuscitation to keep his father alive after he was knocked unconsicous and could not breathe.The accident happend when a driver missed a curve. The men were eventually freed by Ocean Shores firefighters. The resuscitated man is at Harborview Medical...

• Wages in Washington

  Ryan Nute | January 04, 2007 1:39 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  The minimum wage in Washington is set to increase to $7.93 in 2007--the highest rate in the U.S. By contrast, the federal minimum wage is $5.15 (and has been unchanged since 1997). (States are free to require an increase in the minimum wage beyond the "floor" set by federal law.) Employees also have unique protections under Washington law when it comes to unpaid wages.Washington has a statute...

• Cyclist and Pedestrian Safety Improvements Subject of Proposed Bremerton Transportation Plan

  Ryan Nute | January 04, 2007 1:08 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  Up for consideration in Bremerton is whether to spend nearly $100,000 for a transportation plan taking into account safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians.The president of the West Sound Cycling Club, Scott Park, notes the dangers of cycling in Bremerton.A public works consultant wil assist in preparing a safety "to do" list for bikers, pedestrians, schoolchildren and the disabled. ...

• Tort Claims Against the State of Washington

  Ryan Nute | January 02, 2007 7:01 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  You may be surprised to learn that the historical rule was that citizens could not sue their government for its negligent acts. The doctrine was called "sovereign immunity." While the limitations imposed by sovereign immunity have eroded considerably, there are still procedural hurdles today to filing a negligence claim against the State of Washington. As a procedural matter, all negligence...

• Deadly Head-on Collision in Battle Ground

  Ryan Nute | January 01, 2007 5:37 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  A head-on collision that occurred last week in Battle Ground, Washington killed two and injured two others.The accident occurred late at night last Wednesday and icy roads are believed to have contributed to the accident. One of the drivers and his passenger survived. They were identified as Nathan W. Doan and Zachery D. Mattox.Read more: Antonia Giedwoyn, kgw.com

• Rollover in Thurston County Kills Seattle Woman

  Ryan Nute | January 01, 2007 2:27 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  A collision in Thurston County late Sunday killed a 58-year old Seattle woman when her Honda CRV rolled over.Reportedly the vehicle drifted toward the shoulder, veered the opposite direction and hit a rock culvert. The vehicle rolled and the woman was ejected.You may have heard of a number of lawsuits against auto makers for injuries sustained in rollover accidents. At risk of...