Chehalis man convicted of vehicular assault gets new trial after appeals court reversal

A 28-year-old Chehalis man convicted of vehicular assault and other charges will get a new trial after the Washington state Court of Appeals reversed his convictions.

Joshua K. Sanford was 25 when he was charged with vehicular assault, attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and third-degree driving with a suspended/revoked license following a collision with his then-girlfriend in July 2023. Both were riding motorcycles at the time.

Sanford allegedly crashed into his girlfriend's motorcycle off Highway 603 after they fled from a Napavine police officer. The impact ejected Sanford and the woman from their motorcycles.

Though Sanford sustained only minor injuries, his girlfriend reportedly suffered a broken back and shattered vertebrae, according to court documents.

Sanford was ultimately convicted of all three counts in a jury trial in Lewis County Superior Court in 2024 and sentenced to 13 months in prison.

On July 11, 2024, Sanford's attorney submitted an appeal notice to the Washington state Court of Appeals, Division III, seeking review of the entire judgement and sentence.

According to court documents filed on April 16, the appeals court reversed Sanford's convictions, concluding that the "trial court erred by improperly admitting impeachment evidence on a collateral matter and allowing the jury to consider unadmitted and prejudicial evidence contained in Sanford's driving record."

During the 2024 trial, the state's prosecutor asked Sanford on cross-examination whether he was in a relationship with another woman seated in the gallery - after Sanford had already testified to being engaged to the woman from the motorcycle collision.

Sanford's counsel objected. The trial court overruled, allowing the state to continue questioning.

Sanford argued the impeachment evidence was both irrelevant and prejudicial.

"We agree with Sanford and conclude the trial court abused its discretion in overruling defense counsel's objection and permitting Sanford's testimony on this subject," the appeals court said in its filed opinion.

The decision came despite the appeals court finding sufficient evidence to "support Sanford's conviction for vehicular assault."

"The cumulative effect of these errors requires reversal and remand for a new trial," the court said.

Sanford made his second preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday, nearly three years after the charges were first filed against him.

During the hearing, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello said Sanford had already completed his previous sentence.

Judge Paul Strophy released Sanford on his own recognizance, as requested by the state.

Sanford is scheduled for an arraignment on July 9. He will look to retain private counsel.

For previous Chronicle coverage on the case, visit https://tinyurl.com/ycxrjz9r.

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This story was originally published July 4, 2026 at 11:19 AM.