Ferndale Man Arrested on Suspicion of DUI, Hit-and-Run

BIRCH BAY, Wash. — A Ferndale man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and hit-and-run after he allegedly struck a trailer before driving into a ditch near Birch Bay Monday afternoon.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded around 4:15 p.m. Aug. 24 to a reported hit-and-run collision at Kickerville Road and Birch Bay Lynden Road.

This Crash Report is sponsored by CrashLaw.NET, a legal resource for crash victims in Whatcom County.

According to Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Deb Slater, the driver of another vehicle told deputies the vehicle in the ditch had been following closely and swerved from side to side before striking their trailer.

After allegedly hitting the trailer, the vehicle continued eastbound on Birch Bay Lynden Road. The other driver watched as the suspect attempted to turn the vehicle around, a maneuver that ended with the vehicle leaving the roadway and entering the ditch.

Deputies identified the driver as 27-year-old Tyler Appel of Ferndale. Slater said deputies observed numerous signs of intoxication and determined they had probable cause to arrest Appel for DUI and hit-and-run involving an attended vehicle.

Authorities transported Appel to the Whatcom County Jail, where he was booked without incident.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash

If you are involved in a crash, move to a safe location when possible and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention or the scene presents a safety hazard.

If another driver leaves the scene, do not chase them. Instead, try to safely record the vehicle’s license plate, make, model, color and direction of travel.

Photos of the crash scene and vehicle damage can also help law enforcement and your insurance company investigate the collision.

Washington generally gives people three years to file a personal injury claim after a crash. For more information about your legal options, contact PNW Daily sponsor Ziad Youssef at CrashLaw.NET.

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