Davis Law Group, P.S.

DUI Collision in Tacoma Injures 2 People, Driver Charged with 3 Violations

Speed and intoxication were factors in a crash in Tacoma yesterday, injuring two people.

Josh Butler, 26, driving a 1998 Mazda pickup truck going southbound in I-5, crashed into the vehicle in front of him, when the vehicle slowed for traffic and he failed to slow down as well. The another vehicle was hit from behind as well.

The driver of the other vehicle in front of Butler was 52-year-old Mykola Kovalenko driving a 2001 Freightliner tractor. He was wearing his seat belt and did not suffer from any injuries.

The other driver hit, was Barbara Whitbeck, 37, who was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital for injuries.

Butler is being charged with vehicular assault, hit and run and a DUI ticket.


Davis Law Group is relieved to hear that there no serious injuries or fatalities in this DUI collision.

"There is nothing accidental about a drunk driving accident"

Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

In Washington State, 54% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes involve a driver that was under the influence of alcohol. In 2009 265 people in Washington State lost their lives in drunk driving crashes. In Washingon State there is a sharp increase in the number of drunk driving incidents near major holidays. Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle collisions. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 16,694 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in the United States in 2004. This figure represents 39% of all traffic incident deaths. In fact, more than 500,000 Americans are injured annually in drunken driving crashes.