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Marysville teenager killed amid chase was sober, tests show

By Jackson Holtz, Herald Writer

MARYSVILLE -- A Marysville teenager who died after crashing his car during a police chase was not drinking the night of the accident, according to state lab results obtained by the boy's relatives.

The police investigation continues into the March 28 chase that ended with 18-year-old Randy Privrasky's death, said Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz.

Investigators confirmed that state toxicology tests have been completed, Goetz said. He declined to disclose the results.

Ron Privrasky, the boy's father, said he was given a copy of the Snohomish County medical examiner's autopsy report. Among those records were toxicology tests conducted by state experts that show the boy was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol when he died.

Police earlier said they found alcohol bottles at the crash scene. Ron Privrasky said he is frustrated and wants to know exactly what happened the night his son died.

"It's still going to be months before I know," he said. "We're the parents. It's our loss here that we don't have the answers to."

Detectives are trying to determine whether a Snohomish County sheriff's deputy bumped Privrasky's car before the teenager left the road and struck a tree east of Snohomish. Just after 8 p.m., a Snohomish County sheriff's deputy spotted Privrasky allegedly speeding on Westwick Road.

As Privrasky turned north onto 171st Avenue SE, the deputy turned on his siren and flashing emergency lights, but Privrasky didn't stop, according to a search warrant filed in Evergreen District Court.

Police don't know why the teenager failed to pull over.

Less than two minutes and two miles later, the deputy radioed that he was going to attempt a PIT maneuver. That's where a police car pulls along side a fleeing vehicle and bumps the rear corner to get it to spin out and stop.

Detectives still have not said if they have been able to determine if the deputy made contact with the boy's car.

Investigators have removed parts of the deputy's patrol car, including the push bar, to inspect them for evidence.

Investigations into such fatalities can take months.

The investigation is being led by the Snohomish County Multi-Agency Response Team, a group of detectives from several police agencies.

Detectives have interviewed the sheriff's deputy who initiated the chase. The 25-year veteran has returned to work, Goetz said.

Privrasky was driving with an expired learner's permit, had owned the 1991 Dodge Spirit he was driving for about a week and likely didn't have liability insurance, according to the court documents.

The teen had legally emancipated himself but was still attending Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

The boy's mother, Paullina Decker, said she wants her son remembered as a good person with a bright future.

She wants to know the truth about what happened.

"I don't want this to happen again," she said.

Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.