Deputy prosecutor under the influence at time of fatal crash
By Dan Thesman on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
KENNEWICK – An autopsy performed on the remains of Benton County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Bradley Bartlett, 35, showed his cause of death in a July 4 two-vehicle accident was due to blunt force injuries. His blood alcohol level was also slightly above the legal limit.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said a postmortem toxicology blood sample revealed positive results for a blood alcohol concentration two thousandths of a percent above the legal limit of .08 percent, measuring 0.082.
In the vehicle with Bradley were his wife and their two daughters. All four were pronounced deceased at the scene following the accident at the intersection of Travis Road and Sellards Road near Benton City. Their son, who is almost 2, was injured and flown to Kadlec Regional Medical Center and then transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The boy was treated and released shortly after the accident.
The driver of the second vehicle involved in the collision was transported to an area hospital where he was treated and released.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that the investigation is ongoing. When completed, the results will be submitted to Franklin County Special Prosecutor Shawn Sant.
