Police name Whatcom County man as suspect in fatal stabbing

Man has extensive criminal record

CALEB HEERINGA

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BELLINGHAM — Police have identified a man they suspect stabbed a Mount Vernon man to death in the York neighborhood Sunday.

Bellingham Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Derek C. Collier, 23. Collier is believed to be driving a white four-door 1998 Cadillac DeVille with the license plate 477-XIS.

Police believe Collier is the man who stabbed David Datskiy, 20, during an altercation on the 1500 block of James Street. Datskiy reportedly pulled over when he was having car trouble. Collier stopped behind the vehicle and allegedly stabbed Datskiy once in the abdomen. Police are unsure of what provoked the attack.

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Collier is described as a white male, 5 foot 10, 160 pounds, bald and clean shaven with brown eyes, according to a police department press release.

Collier lives in various Whatcom County locations and has an extensive criminal history.

Collier spent half a year in jail in 2000 after being convicted of theft, assault, possession of stolen property, possession of marijuana, robbery, vehicle prowling and taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission.

In late 2005, Collier was sentenced to 36 months in prison for seconddegree burglary, being in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence, malicious mischief and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The burglary conviction stems from an incident in which Collier and another man broke into the Starvin’ Sams in Nooksack with a baseball bat at 1 a.m. and took three cases of Budweiser beer, according to charging documents.

While the burglary charge was pending, Collier was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm for shooting a shotgun in the air on the 8000 block of Birch Bay Drive the night of July 4, 2005. Families and children were in the area celebrating the holiday, according to charging documents. Collier’s previous felony convictions precluded him from possessing a firearm.

The details of Collier’s early release from prison were unclear Wednesday evening.

Most recently, Collier spent five days in jail in January for driving with a suspended license and failure to appear on charges of minor in possession of alcohol and obstructing a law enforcement officer, according to a Washington State Patrol criminal background check.

Anyone with information on the incident Sunday or Collier’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Glen Hutchings at 778-8827 or Detective Dale Jones at 778-8823. After 5 p.m., call 911.