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 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2010 2:58 pm |
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Local News 
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Victims of Highway 9 crash ID'd; suspect booked for vehicular homicide MARYSVILLE — Two Snohomish couples were identified early today as the victims in the worst traffic crash in Snohomish County this year.Killed in the Sunday night crash were Melissa Agerup, 48, and Bradley Agerup, 54; and Hilda Woods, 62, and Thomas Woods, 57, according the Washington State Patrol. Bradley Agerup was a physical education teacher and athletic trainer at Mariner High School. The driver of the car that allegedly caused the crash was booked early today into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of four counts of vehicular homicide. The Snohomish man, 27, is expected to appear before a judge today to set bail. The Herald generally doesn't name criminal suspects until they've made an initial court appearance. Update: Read more information from today's court appearance. Trooper Keith Leary says all four victims were in a southbound car that was struck by a vehicle that ran a stop sign at Highway 9 near Marysville. The driver of that car initially ran from the scene, Leary said. A nearby resident convinced the man to surrender to police. The driver who was arrested suffered minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital and released. A 32-year-old passenger in his car also was injured. Medics rushed around 6:15 p.m to the intersection of Highway 9 and 108th Street NE northeast of Marysville, Leary said. The driver of a 2005 Ford Explorer was eastbound on 108th Street NE and reportedly ran the stop sign at Highway 9, Leary said. The Ford struck the southbound 2007 Hyundai four-door car and the two vehicles left the road onto the northbound side. The four victims in the car died at the scene, Leary said. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner was expected to do an autopsy today. Sunday's crash was the first serious wreck at the intersection in years, officials said. The state recently invested in safety improvements at the intersection. |
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COMMENTS
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From Assistant City Editor Scott North:
The Washington State Patrol made notification to the victims' families after we went to press on Sunday night. State troopers released names and some other details a few hours before daybreak. We posted the information when our editors and reporters arrived at work this morning.
These sorts of tragedies hit home in part because they involve members of our community. Our approach in stories of this nature reflects our best efforts in balancing the need to know with the duty to be compassionate.
Elaine Helm
New Media Editor
The Herald | HeraldNet.com
Elaine Helm | Nov 30, 2009 11:28 am | 2 replies | Request removal
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No need to explain Ms. Helm, most readers understand the reasoning behind not posting names until it is appropriate.
Those that don't will just move on and complain about something else.
Scrappy Jr | Nov 30, 2009 12:57 pm | Request removal
Thanks for clearing that up Elaine.
I promise to understand better next time.
cme everett | Dec 01, 2009 11:46 pm | Request removal
Descanse en paz. No, se que dicer ni que esciber aqui pero espero que estes con Dios.
No Name | Dec 1, 2009 12:16 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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They don't publish the names until the families are notified.
Perhaps you two can find something else to complain about, huh?
Scrappy Jr | Nov 30, 2009 5:32 am | 2 replies | Request removal
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Mr. Agerup was one of the best teachers I ever had. He taught me in his health and sports medicine classes. I was so engaged in the content of his classes, it helped me pursue my career in nursing. He will surely be missed. My prayers and thoughts go out to both families. I am sorry for all the loss of lives taken yesterday.
f n a | Nov 30, 2009 11:24 pm | Request removal
Mr. Agerup was one of the best teachers I ever had. He taught me in his health and sports medicine classes. I was so engaged in the content of his classes, it helped me pursue my career in nursing. He will surely be missed. My prayers and thoughts go out to both families. I am sorry for all the loss of lives taken yesterday.
f n a | Nov 30, 2009 11:27 pm | Request removal
Sunday night we lost Tom and Hilda Woods. The stars will never shine quite so bright again. Tom and Hilda were the parents of three beautiful daughters and two darling grandaughters. The drunk driver made orphans of these beautiful souls. Tom, ever the romantic, loved Hilda and his family openly and totaly. Hilda was the kind of woman who gathered friends from total strangers. She was the most friendly, inviting person I have ever met. We love you Tom and Hilda and you will always be alive in our hearts. Rest in peace our dear friends.
criss east | Nov 30, 2009 9:07 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Sunday night we lost Tom and Hilda Woods. The stars will never shine quite so bright again. Tom and Hilda were the parents of three beautiful daughters and two darling grandaughters. The drunk driver made orphans of these beautiful souls. Tom, ever the romantic, loved Hilda and his family openly and totaly. Hilda was the kind of woman who gathered friends from total strangers. She was the most friendly, inviting person I have ever met. We love you Tom and Hilda and you will always be alive in our hearts. Rest in peace our dear friends.
criss east | Nov 30, 2009 9:07 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Mr. Agerup I had you as a teacher at Mariner High School and let me say i passed your class with a B you taught me well and i will never forget how hard you pushed me and you said "Calvina your going to graduate I dont care keep going dont let anything come bewteen homework and hanging out " It sucks to know that your gone but everything happens for a reason LOVE YOU AGERUP froever [: I Will think about you everyday smiling when i wake up
Calvina Brown | Nov 30, 2009 8:28 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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"Sunday's crash was the first serious wreck at the intersection in years"
For the past 9 years that I have lived here, there has been many, and I mean many wrecks at this intersection!! It's to bad the "Upgraded" intersection didn't include a stop light! How many life have to be taken in order to make this intersection safe?!
Ted H | Nov 30, 2009 12:23 pm | 2 replies | Request removal
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unfortunately most drunk drivers won't think twice about running right through a red light.
I've lost a family member in an accident on Hwy 9...I know how dangerous it can be and how quickly something bad can happen.
L R | Nov 30, 2009 12:30 pm | Request removal
I agree that HWY 9 is unsafe, but I also know a light would not made any difference to a druck driver, the blame lies with that man and that man alone, the blame should not be on the HWY
Dee Jensen | Nov 30, 2009 5:52 pm | Request removal
There are so many people who truelly loved and adored these two couples and their family. it was NOT their ttime to die. And as Their daughters best friend, i know for a fact that the person who killed brad and mellissa and the parents of katie and sara, you will forever be damned with what you have done, even though you are a person too, you didnt even care about what you did you tried to run away from them, these pour 4 parents who were dieing! all i have to say is that i love the agerup family and you ruiend katie and saras life forever and let me tell you, you all are sad that the herald doesnt mention names, well let me tell you katie and sara didnt find out that their very own parents were dead until nearly 1:30 in the morning when the police officer came to their door to tell them what happened. i feel so gratefull to have had them in my life and i will miss them all dearly. so think about that why don't you.
RIP mellissa and brad and the woods family.
Valerie Howell | Nov 30, 2009 3:55 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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My deepest sympathies to the families.
Regarding naming the victims, I will NEVER forget how it felt to hear my best friend had drowned as part of a news report on the radio, even though it's been over 25 years. It was horrifying. I was alone in my car on my way to school, and had to pull over before I hit someone.
Her family had been on a camping trip over a holiday weekend, and they requested that her name not be released or published until they could get home and notify her friends and family. The media decided to publicize it anyway, and not only me but her aunt heard it before her parents could contact us.
So, my feeling is that if you are really close to the person, you'll find out from family or friends. Otherwise, what in the world does it hurt for you to wait a little longer to get the names?
LH25 | Nov 30, 2009 2:14 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Highway 9 really needs to be divided into a 4 lane highway from woodinville to arlington....... there's so much traffic on it now. It's a must
D-Up | Nov 30, 2009 1:42 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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I have lived in this area for a long time and this has always been and continues to be a very dangerous intersection with many accidents. I was pleased when they started the improvements only to be later disappointed that a much needed light was not installed. Look how long it took to finally have a light put in by MPHS to save kids from being run over by school buses. How many will have to die before a light is put in at this intersection? I for one am a concerned Highway 9 driver, are you? My deepest sympathies to the families of the victims, my heart goes out to you during this difficult time.
Melanie Baird | Nov 30, 2009 1:23 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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I briefly knew Brad through his dealing with my ordeal a little over a year ago on Mariner's football field.I know he was a huge part of Mariner as a teacher, trainer, and a friend. I know how he was one of the big parts of why I'm here today to write this, and I will be forever greatful for that. My heart goes out to his two childern who now lost a mother and father, and hope with all my heart that they will find strength in loved ones to help them through this insane tragedy.- Kyle Bigham
Kyle Bigham | Nov 30, 2009 12:56 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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These 2 couples were next door neighbors as well.
Total tragedy.
Anyone who thinks the Herald didn't do a good enough job is welcome to go read another paper. It accomplishes nothing to come here and complain.
L R | Nov 30, 2009 12:28 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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The Herald isn't withholding any information you can't find on the internet. Snohomish County's jail register has this information. We passed this accident last night on our way home from Arlington and knew it was a fatality, little did we know there were four of them. Tragic for the families involved, our prayers go out to you.
M Wilson | Nov 30, 2009 11:41 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Yes, please find something else to complain about. Would you want to read in the paper that your cousin was killed in a car crash?
Maybe spend some time working on your grammar, too, why don't you.
God bless the family members.
William Dorsett | Nov 30, 2009 11:35 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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i simply find it amazing that virtually EVERY other media (that being Seattle) will publish more facts on such a case, including names, than the Herald will.
Why is the Herald such a frikin scardy cat?
Come clean. Can't your big wig east coast owners support your endeavors?
I'm really getting tired of getting my "Everett News" from KOMO, KING, or KIRO. ---only to read a wussified version on Heraldnet.com.
The Herald is simply DEAD if they continue to act like an ostrich.
cme everett | Nov 30, 2009 3:21 am | 1 replies | Request removal
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Obviously you have never taken a media writing course in college, if you have gone to college at all. Newspapers and other news outlets do not announce the names of the deceased until the families are notified. They also have to be very careful about what to report or not report because they are liable if they misstep. Same as a doctor needs to take personal protection precautions to avoid lawsuits. I disagree with you and feel that the Herald does a fine job of reporting Everett news. I read the story initially in the Seattle Times where there was no names in print, and when I read it in the Herald there was names given.
As I mentioned before, Brad and Melissan Agerup were great people and this is a such tragedy. Just because some bonehead didn't feel like calling a cab or a friend to come and pick him up...now decent people are gone and he is going to prison.
Josh Bollinger | Nov 30, 2009 11:31 am | Request removal
I played basketball for Mariner HS all four years I was there. I had the pleasure of knowing Brad and working with him. He was extremely knowledgeable and a very, very good man. I am sad to say the least, and my prayers are with his family.
Drunk driving is not without consequence.
Josh Bollinger | Nov 30, 2009 11:02 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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First,Brad and Melissa were a wonderful couple and have two outstanding daughters. Brad will be missed as a co-worker, coach and friend.
Second, Are you serious people? The Herald did an outstanding job reporting this horrible event. Two girls lost their parents during the holidays and don't need people soliciting their personal woes over disclosure. If it were your family, would you like their names printed...before you were even told?
God bring comfort to you girls!
Shellie Denton | Nov 30, 2009 11:01 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Mr. Agerup was an awesome teacher for Mariner High School in Everett WA and he will be missed greatly I wish the best for his family at this time.
Carrie Lewis | Nov 30, 2009 10:47 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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That is so sad. Two families will remember this Christmas season as a time of loss.
One man probably won't remember it much at all and go his merry way as soon as he "pays his debt to society." There is no way to make amends for killing someone.
MyTwoCents | Nov 30, 2009 9:18 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Why no names? Were you contacted By there family's and asked to not have them in this article? If so state that or there names! There are ways around that as well, give us the plate #s to the cars in the wreck! I have friends I don't see to often and they hang out with people who Drive cars and SUVs! I don't have to be specific because this comment just about covers every one who reads this! We would like to know if we need to call someone and see what we can do to help are friends and or family members! The one nice thing I have to say about this article is that I can now depend on my ford explorer to get me throw a collision such as this alive!
Scott Carr | Nov 30, 2009 12:33 am | 1 replies | Request removal
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Does it occur to you that identifying victims in a horrible crash isn't all that simple? Their personal belongings have likely been strewn all over the car and the roadway, there's blood everywhere and protocol dictates that family member's be notified before releasing the names to the media. Since the wreck happened at about 6:30 PM, this wasn't all going to happen before the Herald went to press last night. You do know the paper is printed the night before, right?
Christine Del Buono | Nov 30, 2009 6:11 am | Request removal