Alleged drunk driver accused of killing again
Aug 15, 2012, 5:49 AM | Updated: 7:00 am
Police say a suspected drunk driver who hit and killed a man last Saturday did the same over a decade ago.
James Southard was arrested after police say he hit 47-year-old Gary Slick as he walked to a tire store in Bonney Lake Saturday afternoon.
The crash comes 13 years after an impaired Southerd caused a series of crashes that killed Bonney Lake resident Shawn Fairbanks. Fairbanks wife Dori tells KING 5 she’s stunned.
“I just couldn’t believe it. I’ve been saying off and on that hopefully he doesn’t do it again and gets out and learns his lesson but obviously he didn’t,” she said.
Southard, 51, served 10 years in prison for the 1999 fatal crash. He’s charged with vehicular homicide and possession of methamphetamine for the Saturday crash and is being held on $1.5 million bail.
He’d had two other DUI convictions before the first fatal crash.
Gary Slick leaves behind three children.
Shawn Fairbanks left behind a 6-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter.
Nicholas, now 18, just graduated from high school. Taylor, 17, is about to start her senior year.
“He [Shawn] missed a lot with those guys growing up,” Fairbanks told KING 5.
Fairbanks hopes he receives a life sentence. Otherwise, she said, “I think he’ll do it again.”
A memorial service for Gary Slick is scheduled for this Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Rainier Hills Church in Buckley. The public is invited.
