Federal Way man charged with vehicular homicide

EPHRATA - A Federal Way man is facing vehicular homicide and manslaughter charges in a 2013 incident near George where a woman died after falling off his motorcycle on Interstate 90.

Darrell W. Harris, 56, was initially arrested on suspicion of DUI in August of last year after Sheri A. Warner, 35, fell off the back of his motorcycle on I-90 and was struck by at least two vehicles. The Grant County Prosecutor's Office has now charged Harris with vehicular homicide and second-degree manslaughter in the Aug. 23 incident.

According to court records, Harris allegedly was driving erratically and at a high rate of speed just before the incident. A witness told police Harris appeared to make an aggressive lane change then pulled over to the inside shoulder and appeared to turn around and head the wrong direction on I-90.

State troopers arrived on scene shortly after and found Warner dead on the highway. Harris had remained on scene and was allegedly aggressive toward the responding trooper, who then tased Harris as he approached.

Harris was taken into custody on scene on suspicion of DUI, later admitting he and Warner had been drinking before the incident and he had attempted to hold onto Warner before she fell. Police reports show Harris' blood alcohol level was above the legal limit more than three hours after the incident.

Police reports also indicated Warner may have had a fear of motorcycles and was not an experienced rider, which may have contributed to her falling. Reports did not conclude how Warner fell off the motorcycle.

Harris has been summoned to appear in court Aug. 5.