Driver in Fatal Kirkland Head-On Crash Arrested on Suspicion of Vehicular Homicide

A woman was killed Tuesday, Aug. 7, when a motorist suspected of driving under the influence crossed the centerline of Juanita Drive and crashed head-on into a car coming the other way with four passengers inside, Kirkland Police say.

The driver of car Kirkland Police says was at fault in the fatal head-on crash has been booked into the King County Jail in Seattle for suspicion of vehicular homicide.

Forty-one-year-old Kelly Hudson, whose hometown has not yet been released, showed signs of intoxication at the scene, Kirkland Police say. Furthermore, they say a police dispatcher was on the phone with a person reporting a “possible drunk driver” on Juanita Drive at the very moment of the crash.

Hudson was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and treated for minor injuries before being booked into the jail around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday. Kirkland Police Lt. Mike Murray said she will likely face arraignment on Thursday.

The four passengers in the other vehicle were trapped inside the car. One of them, a woman, was pronounced dead at the scene when Kirkland Firefighters were able to cut them out of the vehicle. The three survivors were taken to hospitals, one to in Kirkland and the other to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

“We had received calls on this vehicle, so it looks like a possible DUI,” Sgt. Rob Saloum said.

Hudson was alone and heading southbound on Juanita Drive.

Multiple sirens began blaring at about 8:50 p.m. along Juanita Drive, with the crash near Northeast 120th, about two miles north of Juanita Beach. Juanita Drive was closed for several hours after the crash.

Kirkland Firefighters posted on their Facebook page Tuesday night that Kirkland rescue units and medic crews from Bothell and Shoreline, along with Kirkland Police, responded to the scene.

None of the victims have been identified yet.