A man walking home after his 55th birthday party because friends and family believed he was too drunk to drive was struck and killed by another vehicle, police said.
Benjamin A. Wright’s keys were taken at the party, and he was told he should stay at his son’s place.
He said he was going outside to smoke, but apparently began walking home instead. He was fatally struck by a car about 10 p.m. Sunday in the eastbound lane of U.S. 2 in this town about 40 miles northeast of Seattle, Police Chief Fred Walser said.
Wright died at the scene and the driver, a 54-year-old woman, was treated for minor injuries at a hospital, police said.
There was no immediate word on whether charges would be filed. Walser said the woman apparently didn’t see Wright in the road.