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Details emerge about fatal wreck

Crash: Drugs, alcohol are believed to be factors

A July 10 fatal accident on Northcliff Road near 8th Street involved two cars and the arrest of Matthew J. Galvin, 38, for vehicular homicide, vehicular assault and assault in the third-degree.

As of press time, Galvin is not in custody and a court appearance hasn't been scheduled.

According to the incident report, Shelton Police Department officer Jared Ford arrived to two front-end damaged vehicles. Galvin's pickup truck reportedly crossed the center line and hit a white sedan traveling in the opposite direction.

A person in the white sedan was declared dead at the scene. Fire and medics had to be called to the scene and had to extricate some passengers from the white sedan after being pinned in the vehicle. Injuries ranged from "a severe head laceration so deep I could see her skull" and one person was "suspected to have serious injuries to his legs and possible internal injuries," according to the report.

Two people were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle in serious condition and the driver of the sedan was taken to Mason General with facial injuries.

The officer reported that he approached Galvin, who had "blood on his face, a laceration on his left knee deep enough to see bone and a compound fracture of the right ankle." The report alleges the officer saw empty beer cans on the ground around the truck and a piece of rolled-up foil on the dashboard. When asked what happened, "I was not driving, I just sat down." The report states the officer did not believe Galvin about not driving the truck. The truck is registered in his name.

"Based on my observations of Galvin, I believed him to be under the influence of alcohol and other drugs," the report states.

A blood sample was taken from Galvin. Because of his injuries, he was expected to be transferred to Tacoma General for surgery. After being transported to Mason General, Galvin reportedly kicked a nurse in the abdomen.

"Due to Galvin's intoxication level and his hostility, in an attempt to prevent Galvin from harming himself, he was sedated by hospital staff," the report states.

According to a supplemental incident narrative, a witness nearby said the truck was traveling fast and caused the accident.

Author Bio

Matt Baide, Reporter

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Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
Email: [email protected]

 

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