A Mossyrock man is facing vehicular assault charges after he allegedly drove while intoxicated in March 2021 and caused a rear-end collision in Chehalis.
Robert William Orr, 59, of Mossyrock, is accused of driving while intoxicated on March 18, 2021, and rear-ending a vehicle on Chamber of Commerce Way.
A witness reported the victim’s vehicle was stopped at the Interstate 5 northbound offramp stoplight when the light turned green and the victim’s started to move forward — at which point Orr’s vehicle, a red Ford Ranger, reportedly struck the victim’s vehicle “at a high rate of speed,” according to court documents.
The victim suffered a traverse process fracture to the first thoracic vertebra and a gash to the nose that required stitches.
A Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper that arrived around 8:35 p.m. on March 18 to assist the Chehalis Police Department with the crash observed the red Ford Ranger at the top of the I-5 northbound offramp “with severe front-end damage,” according to court documents.
The trooper who spoke to Orr “observed (Orr) had watery and droopy eyes” and the trooper reportedly “smelled the odor of intoxicants coming from (Orr’s) person.”
Orr reportedly “had trouble maintaining his balance while he was standing, refused to answer any questions and refused to perform the standard field sobriety tests,” according to court documents.
Orr was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, where, at approximately 11:05 p.m. that same day, after officers obtained a warrant for a blood sample, a licensed phlebotomist drew samples of Orr’s blood and sent them to the WSP Toxicology Laboratory for testing.
The results ultimately indicated Orr had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .24 — three times the .08 legal BAC limit.
Orr was arrested and was booked into the Lewis County Jail at the time of the incident, but was released after several days and was not charged until March 24, 2022.
He currently faces one count of vehicular assault, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
He was issued a summons notice on March 29 to appear in Lewis County Superior Court for an April 13 preliminary hearing, which he was present for.
Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher asked Judge Yeager to impose a $10,000 unsecured bail, which would allow Orr to remain out of custody without paying bail unless he violates his conditions of release, at which point he would be arrested and required to pay the $10,000.
However, Defense Attorney Rachael Tiller asked Yeager to grant Orr a personal recognizance (PR) release, which would allow Orr to remain out of custody without paying bail, and he would not have to pay any amount if he violates his conditions of release.
Tiller cited Orr’s lack of felony history and the fact that Orr had stable transportation and a stable, local address as reasons for the request.
Meagher pointed out that while Orr had no felony history, he had four previous convictions in the ‘90s for driving under the influence on his record.
“So here we are with another high BAC level, so I think some unsecured bail is appropriate,” he said during Wednesday’s hearing.
Meagher also asked that a provision specifically prohibiting Orr from driving without valid license and valid insurance be added to his conditions of release.
Yeager stated that she agreed with Meagher’s concerns and would grant his bail request.
“I’m not going to PR him under these circumstances,” she said, calling the unsecured bail “more than appropriate.”
Yeager also granted Meagher’s request for the extra driving condition on Orr’s conditions of release, which includes provisions prohibiting Orr from consuming alcohol.
“I understand it says ‘not to have any criminal law violations,’ but I just want to make it as clear as possible,” she said.
Orr’s next court appearance is an arraignment hearing scheduled for Thursday, April 21.
