WSP: Driver who killed Google engineer was 4-times DUI limit
KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Investigators say the man accused of crashing into and killing an innocent victim during a road rage incident this weekend had a blood alcohol content four times the legal limit.
On Monday, a judge ordered Patrick Rexroat, 56, to remain held in jail on $50,000 bail for investigation of vehicular homicide.
The crash claimed the life of Steve Lacey, a father of two and software engineer at Google's offices in Kirkland.
Investigators with the State Patrol say the incident began when Rexroat was involved in a road rage incident on I-405. Witnesses told troopers the Rexroat began following a driver who he believed had cut him off as he headed south down the freeway.
As Rexroat took the NE 85th Street off-ramp, he was speeding and lost control, flying across the eastbound lanes of NE 85th into the westbound traffic, investigators said. At that point, Rexroat's Hyundai slammed into Steve Lacey's BMW.
Lacey, who had not been involved in the earlier road rage incident, died at the scene.
Troopers said when they arrived after the crash, Rexroat was slurring his speech and "displaying signs of extreme intoxication." Investigators said Rexroat's blood alcohol test registered 0.328 -- well above the legal limit of 0.08.
Meanwhile, family and friends are mourning the loss of Lacey, who is survived by his wife and 5- and 7-year-old children.
They say Lacey was just running an errand for his family when the crash happened.
"He was an innocent bystander simply driving home from Costco," said friend Neal Karlinsky. "And someone slams into him, ends his life, robs his kids of their father. For what?"
Lacey's 7-year-old son was originally going to run that errand with him, but stayed home at the last minute to play with a friend, family members said.
Troopers say Rexroat admitted to being too drunk, but his only history is two traffic tickets in the past two years.
Fund Established
A trust has been established for Lacey's children. Donations can be made to any Chase bank under the "Children's memorial trust of Steve Lacey" account.
On Monday, a judge ordered Patrick Rexroat, 56, to remain held in jail on $50,000 bail for investigation of vehicular homicide.
The crash claimed the life of Steve Lacey, a father of two and software engineer at Google's offices in Kirkland.
Investigators with the State Patrol say the incident began when Rexroat was involved in a road rage incident on I-405. Witnesses told troopers the Rexroat began following a driver who he believed had cut him off as he headed south down the freeway.
As Rexroat took the NE 85th Street off-ramp, he was speeding and lost control, flying across the eastbound lanes of NE 85th into the westbound traffic, investigators said. At that point, Rexroat's Hyundai slammed into Steve Lacey's BMW.
Lacey, who had not been involved in the earlier road rage incident, died at the scene.
 Steve Lacey's smashed BMW. |
Meanwhile, family and friends are mourning the loss of Lacey, who is survived by his wife and 5- and 7-year-old children.
They say Lacey was just running an errand for his family when the crash happened.
"He was an innocent bystander simply driving home from Costco," said friend Neal Karlinsky. "And someone slams into him, ends his life, robs his kids of their father. For what?"
Lacey's 7-year-old son was originally going to run that errand with him, but stayed home at the last minute to play with a friend, family members said.
Troopers say Rexroat admitted to being too drunk, but his only history is two traffic tickets in the past two years.
Fund Established
A trust has been established for Lacey's children. Donations can be made to any Chase bank under the "Children's memorial trust of Steve Lacey" account.
You can also visit his Memorial page on Facebook
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