Oster was booked into King County jail on charges of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault
ENUMCLAW, WA, (October 13, 2024) - Kim Davis Nordberg, 72, of Lakebay, and his wife Bette Nordberg, 69, of Puyallup, were identified as the fatally injured victims of the Oct. 13 crash caused by a reckless driver, police said, adding the incident also hurt two people.
Kim Davis Nordberg and his wife Bette Nordberg were fatally injured after their car was struck by a vehicle whose driver, investigators say, was operating "recklessly" on State Route 410 late Sunday morning.
The suspect driver—identified as Michelle Walton-Thomas—faces multiple charges, including vehicular homicide and vehicular assault.
Based on preliminary information, Walton-Thomas, who also goes by the name of Michelle Oster, was driving westbound on State Route 410 outside of Enumclaw on Sunday around 11:45 a.m. when she entered the eastbound lane in an attempt to pass a row of eight to 10 vehicles. As the 63-year-old drove in a no-passing zone, she came upon an eastbound vehicle, forcing her to travel back into the westbound lane, where she crashed into a Subaru. The Subaru was subsequently t-boned by a Honda Fit, according to authorities.
The Nordbergs were in the Subaru, officials said. The driver and a passenger in the Honda were airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries.
Oster remains in King County jail on $100,000 bail.
The investigation is underway.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was the primary cause of fatal crashes in 2018, followed by the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication; failure to stay in the proper lane; failure to yield the right of way; and distracted driving.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said that it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their rights, while ensuring that a driver who does not obey traffic laws is held accountable for their actions,” Bond added.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Kim Davis Nordberg and Bette Nordberg may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one,” said Bond, a national analyst for Newsline.
“If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve.”
Have you been in a similar accident and need help? Speak to Newsline's national legal analyst Candice Bond now free of charge for a no-obligation consultation
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).