BELLINGHAM — A 14-year-old Bellingham girl who was found dead in her bed had a blood alcohol level higher than .40 percent.
Whatcom County Medical Examiner Gary Goldfogel said this week the cause of death for Hazel Christine Phair was alcohol poisoning.
The Whatcom Middle School student had returned from a party about 2 a.m. Sept. 29 and went to bed where she was found later that morning by her mother. Medics could not revive the girl.
A blood-alcohol level of 0.40 can be deadly even for adults. In Washington state, the legal limit for drivers is 0.08.
The Bellingham Herald reported that toxicology tests showed Phair also had marijuana in her system. Police are still investigating her death.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.