A 28-year-old Bellingham man is facing vehicular homicide and driving under the influence charges after he drove a stolen vehicle through a four-way stop at West Axton Road and Northwest Avenue early Thursday morning, killing the driver of the other vehicle. The crash occurred around 5:45 a.m. on May 14, sending road closures through the rural Whatcom County intersection that lasted much of the day.
The suspect, Dale Alderman of Bellingham, was identified and detained after witnesses reported seeing a driver flee on foot from one of the vehicles. The other driver, whose identity has not been released pending family notification, was found entrapped and unresponsive. Aid personnel worked to extract the victim, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.
According to the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, investigators located Alderman nearby, matching witness descriptions. He had fresh blood and cuts on his hands and bruising consistent with a seatbelt in a collision. Surveillance footage from area businesses confirmed his vehicle was traveling north on Northwest Drive at high speed before running the Axton Road four-way stop. Alderman denied any knowledge of the crash.
As the investigation unfolded, officers learned a vehicle had been reported stolen from the 200 block of Bakerview Road. Security footage showed Alderman taking it. The vehicle he drove at the time was confirmed to be the stolen one.
Alderman was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on probable cause for vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, possession of a stolen vehicle, and driving while license revoked in the second degree.
The intersection was closed beginning around 6:30 a.m. Four nearby road segments were affected: Northwest Drive at Laurel Road going south, West Axton Road at Northwest Drive going west, Northwest Drive at Axton Road going north, and Burnham Drive at West Axton going east. The intersection reopened at 6:30 p.m.
The West Axton Road and Northwest Avenue area sits in rural north Whatcom County, where long straight stretches have historically made speeding a concern. The intersection connects the Ferndale and Lynden corridors and sees heavy farm worker and commuter traffic in the early morning hours.
The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office extended condolences to the family and friends of the victim. "Our thoughts are with everyone affected as they navigate this sudden and heartbreaking loss," the department said.
The investigation is ongoing. Formal charging decisions will be made by the Whatcom County Prosecutor's Office. The victim's identity is expected to be released once next-of-kin notification is complete.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office.
