David L. Huisenga appears in Lewis County Superior Court this afternoon.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Bail was set at $100,000 today for the driver who allegedly admitted to being involved in yesterday morning’s fatal motorcycle collision in Chehalis, but left the scene and then torched his truck.
David L. Huisenga, 44, was charged today with hit and run involving death and second-degree arson in Lewis County Superior Court.
Temporary defense attorney Rachael Tiller argued for a lower amount, telling the judge her client has a stable lifestyle, working as a union laborer the past decade, residing in Castle Rock for the last 17 years and Longview before that.
Her client’s significant other was present in the courtroom, she said.
Michael Fields
Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher said he was concerned about interference with the administration of justice, given the allegations.
Meagher said Huisenga’s history included two hit and run unattended accidents in 1998 as well as reckless driving from the same year.
Exactly what occurred on northbound Interstate 5 near Centralia around 5 o’clock yesterday morning remains unclear, except that the motorcycle went down and its rider was then run over by a semi truck, according to authorities.
Michael T. Fields, 57, of Chehalis, died at the scene.
Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer wrote in charging documents officers discovered a license plate at the scene belonging to Huisenga.
His pickup truck was found burning about 9:15 a.m., according to Meyer, east of Interstate 5 near exit 63, and although the vehicle was destroyed, a license plate matching the one left at the scene was located.
Tiller told Judge R.W. Buzzard this afternoon that Huisenga walked 20 plus miles to the Castle Rock Police Department to turn himself in. Meyer wrote in charging documents Huisenga reported to Castle Rock police his vehicle had been stolen, but then recanted during subsequent interviews.
He said he had been driving northbound in the right lane and saw a motorcycle approaching from the rear in the same lane, according to Meyer.
“According to the defendant, he attempted to go into the left lane to get out of the way of the approaching motorcycle, but collided with the motorcycle,” Meyer wrote. “The defendant was unclear as to how the collision occurred.”
Meyer wrote that Huisenga said he saw the motorcycle go down and as a rider himself, knew the rider did not survive, based on the speeds they had been traveling.
He allegedly admitted fleeing, then passing back by and seeing troopers at the scene, and then using matches to set the front seat of his truck on fire.
The state patrol has described Huisenga’s pickup as a red 2001 Chevrolet Silverado.
The offenses he is charged with are both class B felonies, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and / or $20,000 fine.
Tiller said Huisenga qualified for a court appointed lawyer, and Don Blair was appointed.
Meager outside the courtroom said the charges filed today are based on the evidence prosecutors possessed today, but that the investigation being conducted by the state patrol is not yet finished.
•••
For background, read “Pickup that left scene of fatal motorcycle crash found burning near I-5” from Wednesday April 26, 2017, here
Join us