Man who crashed in Onalaska, severely injuring passenger, charged with DUI and vehicular assault 

Justin Scott Bushnell, of Onalaska, posts bail following crash that injured Mossyrock High School student Bryson Eberle

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com 
Posted 1/13/25

A 21-year-old man who crashed his vehicle into a fence in Onalaska while allegedly driving while drunk on Friday, Jan. 10, severely injuring his passenger, is facing vehicular assault and DUI …

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Man who crashed in Onalaska, severely injuring passenger, charged with DUI and vehicular assault 

Justin Scott Bushnell, of Onalaska, posts bail following crash that injured Mossyrock High School student Bryson Eberle

Posted

A 21-year-old man who crashed his vehicle into a fence in Onalaska while allegedly driving while drunk on Friday, Jan. 10, severely injuring his passenger, is facing vehicular assault and DUI charges. 

Justin Scott Bushnell, of Onalaska, posted $10,000 bail over the weekend and was out of custody for his preliminary hearing on Monday, Jan. 13. 

“I really appreciate Mr. Bushnell. He was here early, and, of course, he does have support directly behind him,” defense attorney Rachael Tiller said Monday. 

The crash was reported at the intersection of Middle Fork and Beck roads at approximately 9:38 p.m. on Jan. 10, according to Lewis County Communications 911 call logs. 

Bushnell was allegedly the driver of the vehicle at the time of the crash. He was ejected from the vehicle and was reportedly “sitting outside the vehicle” when Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived. 

The vehicle’s passenger, identified in court documents and online as Mossyrock High School senior Bryson Eberle, was trapped inside the vehicle when deputies arrived. 

He was extracted and airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where medical personnel found he had sustained “lacerations to his spleen, kidney and his liver, multiple bone fractures, a shattered right arm, a collapsed right lung, severe bruising around his head and some swelling around his heart,” according to court documents. Deputies were advised that “there would likely be more injuries discovered in the next day or two.” 

Bushnell reportedly sustained a dislocated shoulder in the crash, according to court documents and information posted online by a relative of the victim. 

According to accounts from Bushnell and a witness who saw the crash, Bushnell was “driving too fast and lost control of the vehicle,” which began swerving on the road before becoming “mangled on a fence along the north side of Middle Fork Road.” 

When questioned by medical personnel at the scene, Bushnell allegedly admitted “that he was driving the vehicle and had consumed alcohol and marijuana prior to the collision,” according to court documents. 

Bushnell allegedly repeated his admission when questioned by deputies. He allegedly “also stated that he was drinking while driving, which was verified by an open bottle of flavored vodka found at the scene,” according to court documents. 

He reportedly refused to perform field sobriety tests or allow an HGN test to be conducted on the scene. He did allegedly provide two breath samples, which showed his blood alcohol content to be between .128 and .130. 

Deputies have obtained a warrant for a blood draw, which was completed at Providence Centralia Hospital, according to court documents. 

Bushnell was charged Monday, Jan. 13, in Lewis County Superior Court with one count each of vehicular assault and DUI. Vehicular assault is a class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. DUI is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in prison and a $5,000 fine. 



All parties agreed to allow Bushnell to remain out of custody on the $10,000 bail he already posted; however, Lewis County Superior Court Judge Paul Strophy denied the defense’s request to allow Bushnell to have contact with Eberle and to allow Bushnell to drive while his case is still pending. 

Tiller had asked for the court to grant an exception to the standard condition prohibiting defendants from having contact with witnesses to allow Bushnell and Eberle to remain in contact. 

“Mr. Eberle is a longtime family friend, so we are asking for that condition,” Tiller said Monday. 

The prosecution opposed the request, with Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher saying, “He (Bryson) is not a family member, he is a witness,” and expressing concerns about interfering in the administration of justice. 

Meagher also requested an added provision to Bushnell’s conditions of release prohibiting him from driving until his case is resolved. Tiller opposed the added provision. 

“The state is very concerned about public safety,” Meagher said “ … I think the best way to do that is to prevent him driving until the case is resolved.” 

Strophy said that the community safety risk warranted the no-driving provision, stating, “the $10,000 that was posted was a little low for this type of offense, in the court’s opinion.” 

He added that he would consider lifting that provision if Bushnell would agree to a voluntary ignition interlock device on his vehicle. 

That option will likely be discussed at his arraignment hearing, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 16. 

The Mossyrock School District is offering counseling support to students struggling emotionally after the crash, the district announced Sunday. 

Meanwhile, Eberle’s family is working to raise $6,500 to cover Bryson’s medical and rehabilitation costs. 

The family’s online fundraiser had raised $2,985 as of Monday evening. 

Learn more about Eberle’s condition and donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bryson-in-his-long-road-to-recovery-and-rehab.