Driver shot dead near Poulsbo after crash, altercation with armed homeowner

A three-car collision near Poulsbo ended in a fatality Sunday when one of the drivers fled to a nearby home and was shot dead by the homeowner, the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office reported.

The dead driver was identified Tuesday as Eric Williiam Rose, 28, of Poulsbo.

The shooting occurred the afternoon of Aug. 2 after a crash in the 18000 block of Viking Avenue NW, according to Kitsap County Sheriff’s spokesman Scott Wilson.

Detectives said the Jeep Patriot driven by Rose was traveling southbound on Viking Avenue about 4:30 p.m. when it struck the rear of a Dodge Dakota truck, then crossed the center line and collided nearly head-on with a Ford Ecosport. None of the three drivers was seriously injured.

Rose then the fled the collision scene and ran to a nearby house, where he attempted to gain entry, deputies said.

“A confrontation ensued between the driver and the homeowner when the homeowner fired several shots from a handgun at the driver,” Wilson said.

Medics from the Poulsbo Fire Department responded, but Rose was pronounced dead at the scene.

The homeowner and his wife were cooperating with detectives. No arrests have been made.

It was not clear why Rose fled the scene of the collision, or why he tried to take shelter in the house.

The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information, or possibly security camera video, to contact Det. Tim Keeler at 360-337-4825 or Det. Krista Kleinfelder at 360-337-7117.

This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 8:23 PM.