Verdict in Port Angeles Car-Pedestrian Collision

Ryan Nute

Contributor

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Steven Bliss of Port Angeles was killed when struck by a vehicle being driven by 19-year old Shawn Newman. Yesterday a Clallam County jury found Mr. Newman guilty of leaving the scene and driving under the influence, but not guilty of vehicular homicide.

The accident occurred when Mr. Bliss was walking along Highway 101 to his home. The judge in the case excluded evidence that Newman was racing.

The standards of proof in criminal and civil cases are different. One result may be reached in a criminal case that would not be reached in a parallel civil case involving the same underlying facts. An interesting question--that I do not immediately know the answer to--is whether the verdict in the criminal case against Mr. Newman would foreclose a civil negligence claim against Mr. Bliss.

Read more: Randy Trick, peninsuladailynews.com