Kent man allegedly drunk, driving at high speed when he struck motorcyclist

An 18-year-old Kent man charged with vehicular homicide in connection with the death of a 55-year-old Kent motorcyclist allegedly had a blood-alcohol level of 0.12 percent and traveled at “freeway speed” when his car collided with the motorcycle.

Justin Jerald Cordova, 18, drove a 1986 Nissan coupe eastbound in the 12100 block of Southeast 223rd Drive in the Panther Lake area when his car reportedly crossed the centerline and collided with a westbound 2006 Suzuki motorcycle driven by David Daniel at about 6:44 a.m. Aug. 22, according to charging papers filed by King County prosecutors. The two lived just one-half mile from each other and a few blocks from the accident scene.

Cordova is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. Sept. 6 in Courtroom GA at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. He remains in custody at the county jail with bail set at $100,000.

If convicted of vehicular homicide, Cordova faces a sentencing range of six to 8 1/2 years under a new state law that took effect in June. The previous sentencing range was 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years.

The Nissan struck the motorcycle, ejecting Daniel and propelling the motorcycle backward. The bike came to rest in the front yard of a neighboring residence. Daniel died at the scene from the injuries.

Witnesses reported that Cordova had been going an estimated 65 mph on Southeast 223rd Drive just prior to the accident. They described the car as going “freeway speed.” The posted speed is 25 mph in the residential neighborhood.

Cordova told Kent Police officers that he had been drinking Red Bull and Jaegermeister at about 11 the previous night. He said he was going about 45 mph and didn’t see the motorcycle. Cordova submitted to a portable breath test that indicated a blood-alcohol level of 0.12 percent, above the 0.02 level to cite a minor for a DUI and the 0.08 level for adults.

Cordova has prior convictions for third-degree assault and obstructing in 2010, according to charging papers. He also had an unspecified alcohol offense in 2011.

The death of Daniel generated numerous postings on the Kent Reporter website after an article about the accident.

Tamara Barnett, a neighbor of Daniel, wrote:

“He (Daniel) was the most friendliest person I know and would do anything to help you. Our neighbor and friend will be truly missed. My husband purchased his first bike from him. Together they worked on their bikes customizing them to fit their needs and wants. We all rode together and took riding trips together.

“My husband, another neighbor and our friend were referred to as the 3D’s in our little cul-de-sac community. We are all devastated by this loss. Drivers pay attention on the road. Us motorcycle riders are here to stay. We deserve to be treated as such when it comes to sharing the road.”