Two face charges in connection with man's death in crash
JOSHUA WOLFSON Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 12:00 am
A Bar Nunn man charged in connection with a fatal Friday night crash in Casper may have been racing the victim, according to a police affidavit.
Donald Walsh, 23, told a detective he'd been drinking at the Sandbar Lounge and was driving to Sidelines Sports Bar when he and Cory Campbell - his friend and neighbor - began to race each other on North Poplar Street. After stopping at a red light at F Street, Walsh, in the left lane, and Campbell, in the right, sped up quickly.
Witnesses reported that the truck Walsh was driving began to drift into Campbell's lane as they entered a turn. Campbell's truck, which was traveling at an estimated 81 mph, went off the road, down a steep embankment and rolled several times, according to police.
Campbell, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the pickup and died at the scene from massive internal injuries.
The truck Walsh was driving hit a curb, rupturing its right rear tire. Police say Walsh continued to Sidelines, where he ordered a mixed drink and called Campbell's cell phone.
Prosecutors on Monday charged Walsh and Dennis Norris, a Casper man accused of allowing Walsh to drive his truck, in connection with Campbell's death.
Police say alcohol and speed played roles in the crash. Officers are working to determine if there were mechanical problems with either truck, although there is no indication of any so far.
A test taken an hour after the crash showed Walsh's blood alcohol level at about three times the legal limit, police said. In Wyoming, a person is presumed too drunk to drive if his blood alcohol level is .08 or above.
Walsh told police he had four drinks at the Sandbar. A cocktail waitress said two of those drinks were doubles.
Walsh faces charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and driving under the influence, causing serious bodily injury. He appeared in Natrona County Circuit Court Monday afternoon, where a judge set his bond at $25,000.
Dressed in an orange jail uniform and wearing shackles, Walsh told Judge Steven Brown he works for Wyoming Machinery and has lived in the Casper area his entire life.
On the day of the crash, Campbell picked Walsh up from his house and they drove to the Sandbar, arriving between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., police say. They met up with Norris and two other men.
At about 7:45 p.m., the group left the Sandbar. Walsh told police Norris was "too liquored up to drive," so he asked for the keys to Norris' 2007 Dodge pickup. Norris later admitted allowing Walsh to drive his truck, according to the affidavit.
Norris, 21, is charged with aiding and abetting aggravated vehicular homicide and allowing Walsh to drive under the influence, causing serious bodily injury.
Walsh remained held Monday afternoon at Natrona County Detention Center. Norris has been released.
Both men are expected back in court within the next month for preliminary hearings, where a judge will determine if there is enough evidence for their cases to move forward to District Court.
Aggravated vehicular homicide carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. A conviction for driving under the influence, causing serious bodily injury, can lead to 10 years in prison.
Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com.