A 28-year-old Bellingham man is facing a vehicular homicide charge after a high-speed crash at a rural four-way stop east of Ferndale left another driver dead on Thursday morning. Investigators say a northbound vehicle ran the stop at Northwest Drive and West Axton Road, slammed into another car and left that driver trapped and unresponsive. Deputies found the suspect nearby and took him into custody, later learning the vehicle he was in had been reported stolen from Bellingham, according to investigators.
What deputies say
Witnesses told investigators they saw a vehicle racing north through the four-way stop without stopping and colliding with another car, according to The Bellingham Herald. Fire crews cut the victim from the wreckage, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office reported.
Arrest and charges
Dale Alderman Jr., 28, was booked into jail on multiple felony charges, including vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, theft and possession of a stolen vehicle, and he has pleaded not guilty in court, according to Cascadia Daily News. A court commissioner set his bail at $500,000 with no cash alternative, citing both the seriousness of the allegations and Alderman's criminal history.
Victim and family
Cascadia Daily News identified the driver who died as 61-year-old Mark Holmquist of Lynden. Family members described Holmquist as a devoted father and son "who deserve to come home," the outlet reported. Relatives and neighbors said Holmquist was connected to Holmquist Farm and Holmquist Hazelnut Orchards.
Stolen vehicle and footage
Deputies discovered that the vehicle involved had been reported stolen from the 200 block of Bakerview Road in Bellingham, and security video from that residence appeared to show the suspect taking the truck, according to The Bellingham Herald. Investigators also reviewed surveillance video from nearby businesses that they say backs up witness descriptions of the vehicle's path through the intersection.
Suspect's statements and condition
Deputies noted fresh cuts and blood on Alderman's hands along with bruising they said was consistent with being in a collision, and he told officers he had been intoxicated, according to PNW Daily. Court documents reviewed by KING5 state that Alderman at times denied knowing a crash had occurred and said he was not the one driving.
Legal process
Alderman entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment and is scheduled to return to Whatcom County Superior Court for a status hearing on June 10, according to Cascadia Daily News. Prosecutors and the sheriff's office say the investigation remains active as they continue to analyze video evidence and witness statements.
What investigators are doing
Authorities say they are still gathering surveillance footage and witness accounts as they build the case, and the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office has publicly offered condolences to Holmquist's family, according to local reporting by PNW Daily. Investigators are asking anyone with relevant information or video from the area to contact the sheriff's office as the criminal case moves forward.
