Driver in fatal Seaside crash faces more charges

Published 9:02 am Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Corrissa Barnett has been indicted on additional assault charges after allegedly crashing an SUV into a Seaside bus stop shelter in late September, killing one man and critically injuring another.

Barnett now faces 10 felony charges — first-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, three counts of third-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, strangulation and three counts of failure to perform the duties of a driver. She is also charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence of intoxicants. She pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday in Circuit Court.

The incident took place about 9 p.m. when Seaside Police responded to a disturbance call at a residence. A woman was reportedly being assaulted with two minor children present at the home.

After hearing a highly intoxicated person involved in the disturbance was driving, police attempted to stop a 1999 Dodge Durango allegedly driven by Barnett. The Durango, moving at a high rate of speed with the headlights off, then hit the police car before speeding away.

Soon after, as the SUV was headed northbound on U.S. Highway 101, the car jumped a sidewalk outside of McDonald’s restaurant, struck a concrete light pole and slammed into a bus stop shelter occupied by two men. Robert Miles, 42, of Hammond — died, while the other man — Abdirisak Mohamed, 41, of Longview, Washington — was critically injured.

Officers allegedly found Barnett hiding behind bushes. She was arrested and recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.26 percent five hours after the incident.

Barnett is scheduled to appear in court for an early resolution conference in November.

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