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

A southbound driver suspected of DUI crossed the centerline Tuesday night and crashed into another vehicle coming the other way with four people inside, killing one and sending the other three to the hospital.

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.

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Imagine Housing May 20, 2013 at 08:19 am
We had a really great time and are very grateful to EBC for all they do for our residents and theRead More Eastside community. Volunteering was a great experience and we hope other groups are inspired to help out!
Jeanne Gustafson (Editor) May 17, 2013 at 01:54 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this great event on Patch! What a cool thing to do--as an IssaquahRead More resident, I really appreciate your involvement with EBC.
Photo by Jean Johnson
Susan Gerend May 18, 2013 at 07:58 am
We too, love having our Farmers' Market return! Opening day was a bit weather-challenged. ThankRead More you merchants for enduring the wet and cold for our new extended hours! What a wonderful sight will return to the plaza when the sunshine calls back all the families with happy, giggling children. Market day is a date of dinner out (side) & shopping (vegetables, fruits and now HedgeHog Toffee) with my husband. Doesn't get much better than that! SEE YOUR THERE! Susan Gerend
Margaret Santjer (Editor) May 16, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Thanks for posting that, Jean! I love this time of year when the markets open. Were there a lot ofRead More people for the opening day?
David V May 15, 2013 at 02:49 pm
Thx Kendall, bear news just isn't what it used to be. thinking it has something to do with the komoRead More anchor moving out of our trossachs neighborhood:)
Kendall Watson (Editor) May 15, 2013 at 01:19 pm
Hey, thanks for the bear photos on Friday! Sorry about the slight delay in posting!
Ben H April 14, 2013 at 03:42 am
Agreed Mark, Much as this solution seems crazy, some things are worth paying for (law and order, aRead More decent safety net, good schools and yes roads). I do blame the tax hawks though. Washington already has a relatively regressive tax structure. The "choke the government" solution seems carried way too far.
Question Mark April 12, 2013 at 02:13 pm
I thank the author for his well thought out arguments regarding these important transportationRead More issues in Washington state. While I believe some of the ideas presented are debatable, for example I believe that a vital and well used transit system ought to be part of our congestion relief plan in metropolitan areas, the lack of realistic funding options for this system cannot be ignored. However, our legislature (both parties included) seems to place a higher priority on "no new taxes" than creating a sustainable future for the state in many areas, including the transportation system. More than that, though, we live in a state whose citizens have varied interests and priorities. Most of all, we need our government to set priorities so that citizen interests and needs can be reasonably served. It seems we are pretending that we can base tax policies and tax rates exclusively on individual self-interest, as is often the consequence "no new taxes" scheme (e.g. if I don't get a direct benefit for myself, I won't support paying for it). This seems to me to be as much a part of this problem as current transportation system priorities.
Richard Bray April 9, 2013 at 07:26 pm
It gets worse folks. I was part of a selected focus group a few weeks ago of people who live alongRead More I-405 conducted by a well-known marketing research firm and paid for by WSDOT. They are considering options that would charge commuters to use a new lane on I-405 & charge for the existing carpool lane too (even if you have two people in the car!)