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Driver facing charges in death of cyclist near Kendall

ROBERT MITTENDORF AND VIRGINIA CLEAVELAND; THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
Published: Jan. 27, 2013 at 4:12 p.m. PST — Updated: Jan. 27, 2013 at 9:07 p.m. PST
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KENDALL - A Maple Falls woman is facing charges of hit and run and vehicular homicide in the death of a bicyclist Saturday night, Jan. 26, on a dark stretch of road in rural Whatcom County.

Steven E. Waterman, 36, and Daniel G. McKay, 51, were riding about 8:15 p.m. in the 8000 block of Kendall Road near Oregon Trail Road when they were struck by a northbound 1994 Ford Escort driven by 57-year-old Debra G. Peterson, according to a Washington State Patrol report.

Waterman died at the scene, which was about a mile north of the Kendall Road-Mount Baker Highway junction.

McKay, who lives in the Maple Falls area, was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham. The nature of his injuries was unknown.

Peterson stopped to check on the cyclists and drove to her Maple Falls home, possibly to call 911 because she was unable to get mobile telephone service in the area. She returned to the scene either on foot or by car, said Trooper Mark Francis, a State Patrol public-information officer.

She was arrested at the scene and booked into Whatcom County jail. Francis said she also is suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which he said would explain the severity of the charges.

Peterson remained in Whatcom County Jail as of Sunday morning. Her car, which suffered what the State Patrol considered "reportable damage," was impounded for evidence.

Francis said both bicyclists were riding in the center of two-lane Kendall Road, which has narrow shoulders and no designated bike lanes. He said both riders were wearing dark clothing and were without helmets. Neither bicycle had required lighting, he said.

That area of Kendall Road was closed for several hours during the investigation.

Robert Mittendorf is a Herald copy editor and page designer. Contact him at 360-756-2805 or at robert.mittendorf@bellinghamherald.com. Contact Virginia Cleaveland, Herald copy editor and page designer, at virginia.cleaveland@bellinghamherald.com.

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