A father driving his family through Gorst on Wednesday night suffered a medical emergency that sent his SUV veering off the road and crashing through a small coffee shop, sending all four occupants to hospitals in Tacoma.
The 47-year-old Bremerton man was behind the wheel with his wife and two young children when something went wrong with his health, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The vehicle slammed into Sadie Mae’s Coffee, destroying the small building and totaling the SUV.
The SUV was carrying a 47-year-old woman, an 8-year-old girl, and a 5-year-old boy. All four family members required hospital treatment after the crash.
The adults were transported to Tacoma General Hospital, whilst the children were taken to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.
The driver is facing a charge of second-degree negligent driving, WSP said, despite the medical emergency that preceded the crash.
A WSP report noted that the children were not wearing seatbelts. Multiple airbags appeared to deploy in a photo shared by WSP Trooper Katherine Weatherwax.
Weatherwax said power lines were down and there was a sewage spill at the crash site, complicating the emergency response.
The report indicated that troopers do not believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.
WSP has not provided an update on the condition of the occupants.
The medical emergency whilst driving represents every parent’s nightmare scenario. One moment you’re driving your family somewhere, the next you’ve lost consciousness or control with your children in the back seat, unable to do anything to protect them.
The nature of the medical emergency hasn’t been disclosed. Heart attacks, strokes, seizures, diabetic episodes, and sudden loss of consciousness from various causes can all render drivers instantly incapable of controlling their vehicles.
The fact that the children weren’t wearing seatbelts raises serious questions about the family’s safety practices. Washington law requires children under age 13 to be properly restrained. An 8-year-old should be in a booster seat with a seatbelt, and a 5-year-old should definitely be in a car seat.
The airbags deploying provided some protection, but seatbelts are the primary safety device in crashes. Children unrestrained during a collision can be thrown around the vehicle’s interior, suffering injuries from striking hard surfaces or being ejected entirely.
The second-degree negligent driving charge against the father seems harsh given the medical emergency, but Washington law makes it a crime to operate a vehicle in a manner that endangers people or property. If he knew he had a medical condition that could cause sudden incapacitation whilst driving, the charge might be justified.
Sadie Mae’s Coffee being described as a “small building” suggests a standalone structure, possibly one of the drive-through coffee stands common throughout Washington. The complete destruction of the building indicates the SUV hit with considerable force.
The downed power lines created electrocution hazards for first responders and bystanders. Live wires on the ground can energize metal debris, puddles, or even the ground itself, making approach dangerous until the power company cuts electricity.
The sewage spill suggests the crash damaged underground infrastructure, possibly a sewer line running beneath or near the coffee shop. Sewage spills create health hazards and environmental contamination requiring specialized cleanup.
Gorst is a small community along Highway 3 in Kitsap County, essentially a junction where traffic funnels between Bremerton and points south. The crash location on a main road through town means the damaged coffee shop and cleanup efforts would have been highly visible to passing traffic.
The separation of the adults and children to different hospitals reflects standard practice. Tacoma General handles adult trauma, whilst Mary Bridge specialises in pediatric care. The different hospitals mean the parents and children were separated during a frightening time.
