Oak Harbor woman charged with vehicular homicide June 17

An Oak Harbor woman faces a vehicular homicide charge after a woman she hit died from blood clots more than two months after the crash, according to court documents.

An Oak Harbor woman faces a vehicular homicide charge after a woman she hit died from blood clots more than two months after the crash, according to court documents.

North Whidbey resident Rochelle Ward passed away Jan. 14. The blood clots were a result of injuries sustained in the Nov. 5, 2013 crash, according to a report by a detective with the Washington State Patrol.

Prosecutors charged 25-year-old Stephanie L. Selby in Island County Superior Court June 17 with one count of vehicular homicide.

She was charged under the more serious, DUI “prong” of the charge because toxicology results showed she had medication in her system, court documents state.

In addition, Ward’s husband filed a lawsuit against Selby on Feb. 11. Jason Ward is asking for unspecified damages for intangible losses, pain and suffering, medical and funeral expenses, and her lost future earnings.

The collision occurred on State Highway 20 north of Oak Harbor on Nov. 5, 2013.

The State Patrol reports that Selby was southbound in a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. She crossed the centerline and collided head-on with an oncoming 2006 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Ward.

Ward sustained a fractured ankle and severe lacerations. She had been heading home to the Northgate area after running errands in Oak Harbor, the detective wrote.

Selby told officers at the scene that she had taken prescription medication prior to driving. She slurred her speech, had trouble focusing and appeared very sleepy, the report states.

Toxicology results showed that her blood tested positive for opiates, amphetamine and zolpidem, the detective wrote.

If convicted of the charge, Selby could face up to nine years and six months in prison under the standard sentencing range.