DUI: Three Injured in SR20 Crash Near Farmhouse Inn

Skagit County, WA- The Washington State Patrol responded to a serious injury Crash on State Route 20 at LaConner Whitney Road around 4:30 pm on December 11th, 2015.

According to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol, Venessa James, 44 of Ferndale was Eastbound on State Route 20 at LaConner Whitney Road in a 2004 Chevrolet Aveo Hatchback when she failed to stop for two vehicles in front of her that were stopped at a red light.

The press memo states she rear ended a stopped black 2009 Lexus RX350 driven by Sandra Skrabut of Sedro Woolley.  The press memo states she was wearing her seat belt. The force of the collision  caused a chain reaction crash and the Lexus struck a blue 2006 Ford Explorer, driven by  Daunne Zinger of Langley.  The press memo states he was wearing his seat belt.  The causing vehicle then continued off the roadway and came to rest in the bushes.

The press memo states the causing driver was not wearing a seat belt and was believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Medics from Med 14 and Med 16 transported her to an Airlift Northwest Medical Helicopter that landed near the Farmhouse Inn. Airlift Northwest then transported her to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

A passenger in the Lexus, Theodore Renkert, 65 of Bellingham was also wearing his seat belt and sustained injuries in the crash but refused medical aid on scene.

The Driver of the Ford Explorer was injured and transported to Island Hospital in Anacortes.

Carl’s Towing impounded the Chevrolet Aveo and both other vehicles were impounded by Anacortes Towing.

The press memo states that the cause of the accident is Driving Under the Influence and Charges are pending against the causing driver.