Driver involved in fatal Whatcom motorcycle collision won’t be criminally charged, cops say
The person responsible for a Whatcom County traffic collision that resulted in the death of a motorcyclist earlier this month will not be criminally charged, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Jason Rennings, 50, of Blaine, was driving a vehicle east on Anderson Road in Blaine at about 3 p.m. on June 6 before stopping at the intersection at State Route 548. William Fleischer, 58, of Blaine, was riding a motorcycle south on SR 548 at the same time.
Rennings failed to see the motorcycle as he turned north onto SR 548, causing Fleischer to hit the vehicle and launching him onto the hood of Renning’s vehicle.
Fleischer died from his injuries, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Rennings was cited for failure to yield because he was found to be at fault for the collision. But, he wasn’t found to be negligent, reckless or impaired, so he won’t be criminally charged for the death, Washington State Patrol Trooper Kelsey Harding told The Bellingham Herald.
“An example that would have made it negligent is if he did a rolling stop (so slowed to say 5-10 mph but not to a complete stop) then struck the motorcycle,” Harding wrote.
It also could be considered reckless if the driver of the vehicle was going through the stop sign at a high rate of speed, according to Trooper Harding.
Rennings was separately arrested and booked into the Whatcom County Jail for multiple felony warrants including identity theft, and theft and possession of stolen property. Jail records show he has bonded out of custody.
This story was originally published June 12, 2023 at 11:26 AM.
