Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
February 9, 2011
Contact:
Trooper Guy Gill
Phone:
(253) 606-1998
E-mail:
guy.gill@wsp.wa.gov
Lacey Man Charged with Vehicular Homicide After Fatality Collision
Thurston County - On February 9, 2011 at 6:16 p.m., a Shelton man was struck and killed while riding his motorcycle on Steilacoom Road east of Lacey. 55 year-old Steven E. Strand was pronounced deceased at the collision scene by medical personnel. Strand was riding a 1971 BMW motorcycle westbound on Steilacoom Road near Salmon Lane.
39 year-old Brett L. Sotak of Lacey was driving a 1988 Dodge Dakota eastbound on Steilacoom Road. Sotak crossed the double yellow centerline into the westbound lane and collided with Strand. State Troopers developed probable cause that Sotak was driving under the influence of alcohol. Sotak was placed under arrest for vehicular homicide and after a blood test was administered he was booked into Thurston County Jail.
This was the first fatality collision in Thurston County in 2011. The Washington State Patrol works very hard to remove impaired drivers from the roadways of our state. Each time a DUI arrest is made it could prevent something tragic like this from happening. Please don’t drink and drive.
