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1 person injured, 26-year-old Esteven Raynaldo Delafuente arrested after a DUI crash in Bellingham (Bellingham, WA)

One person received injuries and 26-year-old Esteven Raynaldo Delafuente was taken into custody after a DUI crash Tuesday in Bellingham.

As per the initial information, the incident began when a Washington State Patrol trooper saw a vehicle southbound on I-5 in the area of W Bakerview Road about 11:15pm at speeds of 80 to 100mph struggling to stay in its lane.

Trooper tried to stop the vehicle by activating his emergency lights and siren, but the vehicle kept going. The trooper asked for the permission to pursue based on having probable cause to arrest the driver for driving under the influence.

The trooper deactivated his vehicle’s lights and siren and reduced his speed while awaiting permission to chase the vehicle. Permission was granted to the trooper to resume the pursuit. The trooper found the suspect vehicle still southbound south of the Old Fairhaven Parkway interchange and reactivated his lights and siren.

The suspect vehicle continued to disregard the trooper’s attempt to stop and exited at the N Lake Samish interchange. The trooper discontinued the pursuit since they were no longer on the interstate. The suspect vehicle was seen continuing southbound on Lake Samish Drive.

The trooper came around a curve to discover that the suspect vehicle had slammed into a tree and seemed to be catching fire. The trooper requested fire and aid respond. With the help of a second trooper, the driver and an injured passenger were removed from the vehicle after breaking the windows since the doors would not open.

The passenger had reportedly asked to be let out of the vehicle and the driver refused. The passenger appeared to have multiple broken bones. Both the driver and the passenger were taken to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center.

It was found that the driver was unharmed. The driver, identified as Esteven Raynaldo Delafuente, was detained and booked into Whatcom County Jail about 4am July 20th. The driver was charged with attempting to elude a police vehicle, reckless driving, driving under the influence, vehicular assault and unlawful imprisonment.

At the time of his arrest, Delafuente was awaiting trial in Skagit County Superior Court where he is charged with 2nd degree organized retail theft, 2nd degree burglary and 2nd degree malicious mischief. No other details are available.

An investigation is ongoing.

July 20, 2022

Source: Whatcom News

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