A 40-year-old Ferndale man was arrested after allegedly causing a crash on I-5 in Custer that sent two adults and a two-year-old boy to the hospital late at night on August 31.
Victor Ryan Charles Sweet, 40, was being held in Whatcom County Jail for charges related to vehicular assault, DUI, hit-and-run injury, operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock and driving with a suspended license, according to September 2 jail booking data.
According to the Washington State Patrol (WSP), Sweet, driving a 2001 green Lexus, came up behind a 2022 black Hyundai Santa Fe around 11:30 p.m. on southbound I-5 near the Custer rest area. At a high rate of speed, Sweet struck the Hyundai carrying three Kirkland residents: a 36-year-old woman, 35-year-old man and a two-year-old boy, according to state police.
The Lexus that Sweet was driving came to rest on the right shoulder, while the Hyundai stopped in the median. Sweet fled westbound on foot before law enforcement found him, according to WSP.
The three Kirkland residents were transported to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. PeaceHealth spokesperson Amy Drury said the 35-year-old man was released, but was unable to provide information on the other two victims.
Everyone involved in the crash, including Sweet, wore seatbelts, and the child was properly restrained in a rearfacing car seat, according to WSP.
The WSP said drugs or alcohol were involved, though WSP Trooper Kelsey Harding said the cause was still under investigation as of September 2. Both vehicles were totaled.
The Washington State Department of Transportation reported the collision closed both southbound lanes of I-5 for several hours.
WSP booked Sweet into jail about 6 a.m. September 1. He remains in jail as of September 3 in lieu of $250,000 bail.
