Suspect in fatal crash in Gorst to be released from jail, authorities say
PORT ORCHARD, Wash. -- The Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office said Friday that the suspect in a four-car crash in Gorst that killed a 71-year-old man will be released from jail pending further investigation, because no breath sample was taken and a blood sample will need to be analyzed to see if he was driving under the influence.
"A suspect who is held in custody has the right to a speedy trial within 60 days of their arraignment," said Chad Enright, chief deputy prosecuting attorney. "The Washington State Patrol estimates that the completed investigation may take up to 60 days to complete."
Enright said the preliminary investigation "suggests that alcohol and prescription medication may have been a factor" in the crash ... we currently do not have reports indicating that a breath sample was taken. So blood testing is necessary to confirm the suspicion."
That testing, plus other evidence, could take up to 60 days to complete in the investigation, he said, so the 30-year-old man from Fircrest will be released from jail pending the completion of the probe. They said the man has no criminal history.
The victim in the crash was 71-year-old Mac Machacek from Belfair. His family told Q13 FOX News he was a big teddy bear full of love. Mac was also a grandfather to six kids but now his family will spend the holidays without him.
The crash happened at about 6 a.m.Thursday in front of the Gorst Food Mart on State Route 16.
The Washington State Patrol had said immediately after the accident that the driver of a white pickup truck that caused the crash was speeding and intoxicated.
Police said Mac pulled his car into the highway and was rear-ended by the white pickup. The force of the crash shoved Mac’s blue Kia across the road, where he collided head-on with two more cars. Those drivers were rushed to hospitals but Mac died at the scene.