It was reported in the news yesterday, a woman was struck by a vehicle while crossing Interstate 5 in Vancouver, Washington. According to the Columbian, “[t]he incident started about 4:40 a.m., when deputies spotted the woman, later identified as Sarah Christiansen, 25, riding a bike in the 7200 block of Northeast 99 without any reflective gear, Sgt. Fred Neiman (in bold for emphasis), concerned for the woman’s safety and other vehicular traffic, Neiman said the deputy turned on his lights to stop her.” The law enforcement agency involved in the pursuit was the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Subsequently, the woman dropped her bike and attempted to cross the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Vancouver near Hazel Dell. Fortunately, it appears the woman was uninjured and refused medical treatment. Unfortunately, Ms. Christiansen had a Department of Corrections warrant for her arrest. According to the article, she was booked into the Law Enforcement Center on the warrant and “failing to stop and give information to the police.”
I wonder if the article is specifically referring to RCW 46.61.020. If so, RCW 46.61.020 is a criminal misdemeanor offense punishable up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000.00 fine. And to think it all began for ‘not wearing reflective gear’.
Click here to read the article.
