GORST – A 71-year-old Belfair man was killed and two other people were injured in a four-vehicle crash on State Route 16 Nov. 19.
Andrew David Tobler, 30, of Fircrest, who allegedly caused the crash, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide. According to Kitsap County Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chad Enright, Tobler was released pending further investigation.
According to a Washington State Patrol report, Tobler was driving a white 2003 Ford Ranger pickup truck south on State Route 3 in Gorst at 5:21 a.m. and was transitioning to eastbound State Route 16.
At that time, a 71-year-old Belfair motorist pulled out of the Gorst 76 gas station in his blue 2004 Kia Rio.
Tobler allegedly rear-ended the Kia, causing the Kia to lose control, cross the center median and travel into oncoming westbound traffic. The Kia then struck a gray 2010 Toyota Prius head-on. The Toyota was driven by a 56-year-old Olalla woman.
A 1996 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck that was driven by a 34-year-old Port Orchard man then crashed into the Kia and Toyota.
Tobler’s Ford pickup flipped over and came to a stop on its roof.
The Belfair man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tobler was wearing a seat belt and was injured. He was booked into Kitsap County Jail.
It is unknown if the Belfair man was wearing a seat belt or not. He was identified as Delyle Edgar Machacek. Next of kin were notified of his death.
The Olalla woman was wearing a seatbelt. She sustained injuries and was transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital.
The Port Orchard man was wearing a seat belt and was not injured.
All four vehicles were totaled and impounded.
The crash caused traffic to be severely backed-up in the area and WSP advised drivers to avoid the area until the scene was processed and cleared. The road was fully re-opened around 10 a.m.
Enright stated in an email that WSP estimates it may take up to 60 days to complete their investigation. A warrant was signed to collect samples of Tobler’s blood for testing.
“The preliminary investigation suggests that alcohol and prescription medication may have been a factor,” Enright wrote.
Blood tests will confirm if those substances were a factor in the crash.
“Public safety is always our primary concern. However, we need to have a full investigation in order to make a charging decision and secure a conviction. Our office will ensure that a thorough, factual investigation has been conducted before a decision to prosecute is made. Detectives from the State Patrol are diligently working on the case. The suspect is 30 years old and appears to have no criminal history,” Enright wrote.
“Alcohol and cars kill,” stated a post on the WSP Twitter account for Trooper Russ Winger. “The causing driver in Gorst collision (was) arrested and will be booked for vehicular homicide.”
Tobler’s bail was set at $50,000.
From left, a crashed Toyota Prius, Kia Rio and Chevrolet S-10.
Detectives using new virtual scanning equipment that allows them to process a scene in one-third the time as the prior method.
The man who allegedly caused the crash was driving this Ford pickup truck.
