Former Yakima Mayor Dave Edler, who played third base for the Seattle Mariners between 1980 and 1983, remains hospitalized following a Sunday crash that claimed the life of his wife, Susan.
Susan was pronounced dead at the scene, while Dave was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with two broken arms and facial injuries. The suspected driver, 26-year-old Trevor Stockton, is facing vehicular homicide and vehicular assault charges in connection with alleged impairment, according to The Seattle Times.
Stockton appeared in Yakima County Court on Monday, where a judge established bail at $75,000. If released, he must install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle he drives and participate in a full-time sobriety program.
Details of the crash
Responding authorities discovered a Dodge Ram pickup and a Ford Bronco Sport in a ditch near 76th Avenue and Coolidge Road. Dave and Susan Edler were trapped inside the Bronco, requiring firefighters to extricate them from the vehicle.
According to an affidavit obtained by The Seattle Times, witnesses provided conflicting accounts of which vehicle had crossed into the wrong lane.
Stockton reportedly declined to participate in voluntary field sobriety tests. However, a Yakima police drug recognition officer observed that he had red, watery eyes and slurred speech.
Approximately six minutes before the collision, Stockton had been at a bar with his girlfriend. Records obtained by investigators showed that the pair purchased a combined nine drinks. Additionally, a family member told police she had seen Stockton consuming alcohol during breakfast earlier that morning.
Court proceedings
A Yakima County deputy prosecuting attorney told the court that Stockton chuckled after being informed that the couple had suffered serious injuries in the crash. The prosecutor also said Stockton repeatedly directed an offensive slur toward the drug recognition officer, referring to people with intellectual disabilities.
Prosecutors requested bail of $500,000, citing aggravating circumstances, including Stockton’s alleged alcohol consumption throughout the day and his conduct following the collision.
However, Stockton’s public defender disputed the allegations of alcohol use and argued that bail should not exceed $50,000.
Background on those involved
Beyond his time with the Seattle Mariners, Edler served on the Yakima City Council from 2003 to 2006 before becoming the city’s mayor, a position he held from 2006 to 2010.
Dave and Susan also spent 30 years leading Yakima Foursquare Church. Dave additionally served as a senior pastor and supervisor of the church’s Northwest District.
Meanwhile, Stockton has been placed on administrative leave from his volunteer firefighter role with the West Valley Fire Department, The Seattle Times reported.
His only criminal conviction is related to a 2021 gross misdemeanor eluding case in Oregon. The conviction followed the reduction of more serious felony eluding and first-degree criminal trespass charges.
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