Police probing a fatal collision where a jogger was struck and killed on Bainbridge Island on Father’s Day are awaiting toxicology reports from the driver of the vehicle.
A blood draw from the driver was taken after the crash, and Bainbridge Island Police Chief Matthew Hamner said results from such tests typically take about four months to come back from the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab.
Few details of the tragic accident have been released by authorities in the weeks following the June 17 collision on Finch Road.
“This is an active investigation,” Hamner said, but added that more information will be made public once the investigation is complete and forwarded to the county prosecutor for review.
The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash.
“At this time, we don’t feel there is any indication of impaired driving by a foreign substance,” Hamner said.
Still, that observation from police at the scene needs to be confirmed through scientific analysis, the chief said.
“We don’t have any control over that,” Hamner said of the toxicology report. “Until that is done, the case at that point will then be presented to the prosecutor for a decision.”
Christopher Max Fendrich, 48, of Seattle was killed after he was hit by a four-door Honda while running north along Finch Road with Troy Scott, 41, of Bainbridge.
Fendrich was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and died the following day.
Scott was injured in the collision, which happened on the two-lane road south of Sportsman Club Road just after 9:30 a.m. Father’s Day, and also taken to the hospital.
The driver of the car was identified as Kevin McCann, an 18-year-old Bainbridge resident.
A Bainbridge police officer was first to arrive at the crash site, and began CPR on one of the joggers. Firefighters soon responded and took over lifesaving measures, and the roadway was closed for much of the day while police investigated the accident.
The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office was asked to handle the investigation, as the sheriff’s department has extensive training in examining fatality accidents, Hamner said.
“This is tragic for everyone involved,” Hamner said. “We don’t see this kind of injury and death on the island; it takes a toll on everyone involved. It was very, very tough on officers to see and witness this.”
“This is not part of the job we look forward to,” Hamner added. “But having said that, we are committed to doing our absolute best job … taking our time and making sure we do everything to ensure a thorough and comprehensive investigation, that is professionally done.”
